Mr. Dan Zaharia, husband of Veronica "Vern" Zaharia, passed away on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home, Yorkton, SK. He was 87 years of age. Dan was born on February 9, 1929 in Canora, SK, the son of John and Pauline (nee Kunetski) Zaharia. He grew up in the village of Hamton and attended school in the district. Dan left home at an early age to make his way in the world and started working at the bush camps in Ontario. He made his way back to the prairies, first to work in a creamery in Winnipeg, MB then to Yorkton to build homes with his Dad. Eventually he found a job hauling milk with horse and buggy and often joked that as tired as he was at the end of a long day, the horse was even more exhausted as it knew just how to rush back to the barn! In 1953, Dan met Vern Burant and they were united in marriage on October 23, 1954. The couple were blessed with three children, Ken, Nancy and Sherri. In 1957, Dan began a career as a travelling salesman for MacDonalds Consolidated - and boy did he travel - all over the province to sell to grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations! He worked for the company for 38 years before retiring in 1995. After his retirement he helped Vern with her home daycare. He also helped his children by babysitting his grandchildren and Grampa's specialty for lunch was hot dogs and Kraft dinner! Dan would often laugh about the things the children did and said, "kids, kids, kids...". In his younger years, Dan enjoyed golf, was part of a bowling league and curled. When his children came along, he could be found at the rink or ball diamonds cheering them on. His children also have many happy memories of family camping trips. Dan attended Yorkton Terrier hockey games, truly he loved all sports. And when he got cable television and could watch all the games, all from the comfort of his own chair, he loved it! Dan was predeceased by his parents, John and Pauline Zaharia; his sisters, Mary and Lena and his parents-in-law, Apolinary and Theresa Burant. He leaves to mourn his passing and cherish his memory, his loving wife, Vern (they would have celebrated 62 year of marriage on October 23, 2016); his son, Ken (Jennifer) and his children, Jordan (Christa) and Haley (Nathan) and their mother, Jacki; his daughter, Nancy (David) and their children, Garett (Tracy and their children, Braden, Evan and Alexis, Jason (Chantelle and their children, Taylor, Jordan, Emma and Tegan; his daughter, Sherri (Rodney) and their children, Tyler, Brittany, Troy (Amber and their children, Nixon, Karver and Paisley), Courtney (Matthew). Dan also leaves to mourn many family members on Vern's side as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Father Francis Hengen officiating. The accompanist, Chris Fisher, led the congregation and members of St. Gerard's Roman Catholic Church Choir in the singing of the hymns, "Amazing Grace", "Psalm 138", "Songs of the Angels" and "On Eagle's Wings". Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by Dan's granddaughter, Courtney Hilliar and the readers were Annette Plosz and Virg Burant Plosz. The urn bearers were grandchildren, Jordan Zaharia and Brittany Wlock. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
