Dennis BASARABA

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BASARABA: Dennis Walter Basaraba of Brandon, MB passed away peacefully on October 21, 2012 at the age of 67. He was born to the late Anne and Walter Basaraba of Dauphin, MB on May 21, 1945. Dennis grew up on his parents' small mixed farm, attended elementary school in Sifton, and West Bay High School in Dauphin. Upon graduation, he worked briefly in Calgary, but decided to pursue an education at Brandon University. Dennis graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a Certificate in Secondary Education in May of 1970.Dennis greatly enjoyed the outdoors, particularly fishing trips with his buddies to places like Lac La Ronge in Northern Saskatchewan. Ice fishing and snow shoeing were also among the activities that he liked to do. Dennis met Carol Hogg in 1974 while he was employed in the social work department at the Brandon Mental Health Center, and they were married in 1981. Dennis and Carol enjoyed the outdoors and did lots of traveling and camping together, including the East coast of Canada, as well as spending severalmonths in Australia with friends. Dennis had a passion for firearms, and an aptitude for the physics and mechanics of how things worked. Dennis was a very intelligent, multi-talented man, with a good sense of humour. There wasn't much he couldn't do. Self-trained as a gunsmith, Dennis did repairs, modifications, and wood work on stocks and hand grips, and made bullets. As he was only interested in target shooting, Dennis was a member at the Brandon Gun Club. In the late 1970s, Dennis opened D & B Sporting Goods on 9th Street in Brandon, where he sold firearms and fishing equipment. In 1987, he closed the business and later began his next career as a Correctional Officer at the Brandon Correctional Center, where he worked up until his retirement in the spring of 2012. Dennis and Carol's first daughter Tanis was born in 1981, followed by Taylor in 1984, and Heather in 1986. His girls were everything to him - Dennis attended every horse show, soccer, or volleyball game, and took the girls boating on the weekends every summer. The family enjoyed summer camping trips to Clear Lake, as well as a trip to Disneyworld, and skiing at Panorama. His girls will always remember looking forward to Dad's Saturday morning breakfasts after riding lessons. Dennis was very proud of his girls' academic and career achievements. He will be missed terribly, but lovingly remembered by his daughters Tanis Basaraba (Ryan), Taylor Basaraba (Darryl), and Heather Basaraba, of Brandon. He will also be remembered by his former wife Carol Hogg of Brandon as well as aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Dennis was a thoughtful, selfless, caring person, and was always there when his family needed him. His daughters all agree that he was a great Dad. A memorial service for Dennis was held at Memories Chapel in Brandon on October 25, 2012. Dennis' family would like to thank everyone who attended his memorial as well as all who sent flowers, cards and messages. Expressions of sympathy may be made atwww.memorieschapel.com.Arrangements with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre,204-727-0330

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 03, 2012