August 9, 2021
1948-2021 ~ Daniel N. Makasoff passed away August 9th, 2021 at the age of 72. He was born in Benito, MB in November 1948 to parents Nick and Nellie Makasoff. Daniel was also known as "Big Dan" due to the fact that he was 6'8" tall. He grew up on the family farm near Thunder Hill in Saskatchewan.
When he was 19 years old he went to work for the Canadian National Railway B+B Gang in Gillam and Churchill.
When he was 20, he came to Nelson, BC and worked in various sawmills in the area. He also found work as a tree planter, construction labourer, painter, and a water well driller's helper. He moved around often during this time, not staying in one place for more than a year, and worked in four provinces: BC, AB, SK, and MB.
In 1977, he went to work at the sawmill in Slocan City, BC and was there for 20 years until he had to go on long-term disability. In 1978, he married Bonny Kinakin, daughter of Walter and Mabel Kinakin in Thrums, BC (near Castlegar). They had a daughter together whom he named Tanya from the Doukhobor book "Tanya" that he liked very much. The marriage lasted 8 years.
In 1994, he met Gladene Toews from Linden, AB at a fasting retreat at Mountain Trek Lodge in Ainsworth Hot Springs, BC. It was a wonderful way to meet. On the second day, Daniel proposed marriage to Gladene. She accepted two weeks later and six months later, they were married in Calgary. Together, they have a daughter named Emma.
Daniel is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Gladene Toews; daughters Tanya and Emma Makasoff; granddaughter Ava (Tanya's); son-in-law Clint Horwood (Emma's); sisters Diane (Eric) Metcalfe of Kelowna and Hazel (Ralph) Mercer of Courtenay, BC; two aunties, Laura Reibin of Penticton and Vera Chernenko of New Westminster.
He liked all kinds of music, especially rock 'n' roll, his favourite bands being the Beatles, the Animals, the Doors, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, and the Eagles. He also liked blues music like Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Buddy Guy.
He enjoyed working with wood, making furniture to give away and for himself. He got Idaho White Pine trim ends for free from the planer where he worked. He enjoyed traveling the 4 provinces, BC, AB, SK, MB, visiting relatives. He especially liked Manitou Springs Mineral Waters near Watrous, SK.
He always dreamed of having a house in Manitou Springs. He was a long time member of a 12 Step Program that helped many people, including himself. He liked shopping at thrift stores, and Sally Ann in Trail, BC was his favourite.
He loved playing cards, like Cribbage and Russian Durok (translates to "Crazy" in English).
He also loved playing pool, 8-ball being his favourite. He never won any tournaments, just loved shooting pool, whether he lost or won. His long-time friend Danielle from Trail, BC would come over once a week to have supper and play Cribbage with Daniel.
She beat him often, and the last time they played, he asked for a 20 spot before he would play her again. He, Gladene, and Danielle played Durok, which he taught them how to play. They often won against him, which didn't seem fair because he's the one who grew up playing the game!
In 2010, he and Gladene decided to have their Dream House built. It was on graph paper for many years and, finally, it was built the way they wanted it. It was a lot of work for them both, plus they hired two rough carpenters, two finishing carpenters, an electrician, a plumber, and four labourers - which all cost a lot of money, but it was worth it!
He chose cremation and his ashes will be placed in Simonuka Cemetery in Saskatchewan (near Benito, MB), where his father and many other family members are buried.