Bear was a wonderful guy. A truly gentle giant! Along with his many other talents, he was quite a softball player in his younger days in Saginaw. He will be truly missed. God bless and comfort his whole family.
Joe Nunamaker
Saginaw, MI
When I read the names in the obituary listing today in the Saginaw News, Dan’s name jumped out at me; I was saddened to see that this man, was, indeed, the Danny Smith I knew in our childhood and teen years at Assumption Church. I went to Bridgeport Schools and he went to Birch Run, but we attended K-12 catechism classes and celebrated sacraments together at the little church on the corner of Bell and Townline Roads. I remember Danny’s good humor, playful spirit, subtle mischief and his constant singing! And I will always remember that he had a special respect and love for his mother. The Birch Run kids in our teen years called him the Sugar Bear, and I see the name stuck after all those years. The Danny I knew was gentle, kind, and fun, and according to these memorial tributes, he remained that way. I know he will be greatly missed. I send my sympathy to all of Dan’s family and friends.
Mary Rutherford Skoglund
Holland, MI
I didnt know Dan very well as an adult , but as a child I did, our familys got together a lot on holidays, Dan mom & my mom are sisters.I moved away to FL, and lost tract of Danny and Harold.I talked to him since, he was sick.Dan was a fine man and I know he is proud of his children.
Evelyn M. King [Severn}
Kissimmee, FL
Connie, Andrea and Danny;
Bob and I have been good friends of Bears for many years. We travel alot of miles together, sang alot of songs and had lots of laughs and ofcourse stopped at every resturant along the way. He was like a Brother to us and we prayed for him daily. We are so sorry for your loss and ours. Bear will truly be missed. I’m sure he is organizing the choir in heaven. That big booming voice of his will be heard all across the heavens. Until we meet again Bearman. Love and courage to you Connie. We are here if you need us.
Linda Linton
Bentley, MI
I am so glad to have met Dan. I will miss him very much and so will my family. He was not only an awesome drum teacher but, a very great person as well. He was always thoughtful, considerate, and caring. He loved his music, family, and friends so much. I know he really enjoyed teaching me how to play the drums, and I would not have had any other instructor. His memory will live on through the many hearts he has touched with his loving spirit. Dan looked on the brightside of life and pictured the glass half full instead of half empty. He sure smiled a lot, and his smile was contagious. I will always remember him. His passion, perserverance, and endurance will never be forgotten. Now he is up in Heaven with God, waiting for the rest of us at the end of the Rainbow Bridge.
Michelle Wood
Escanaba, MI
Connie,
Your in my prayers. Dan was a wonderful man and I’ll always remember him as my son We got such a kick out of that! You’ll always have wonderful memories, you two made a lot of those together. Call me anytime. Blessings to all. Love ya Hugs Ruth
Ruth Szukalowski
Watson, MI
Connie – so sorry to hear of Bears passing. He will be sadly missed by many friends. It was always great to see you two together. His music will be sadly missed also. We loved it when he would come to the Kipling Bar and play music!! We’re also happy that you and Bear got married!! our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time
Marty & Patti Gieszer
Rapid River, MI
Connie,
Deepest Sympathy, we will all miss Dan!
Karen Dahl & Staff
Escanaba, MI
Dan was a good friend during our high school days. He will be missed by family and all that knew him. May God provide eternal rest and until we met again God bless our sugar bear.
Fred Klein
Clarkston, MI
My dearest Connie…..You have been my “sister” for many, many years, but you’ve also been a dear friend. My heart breaks for you that you have lost Bear. I hope/know in my heart that you had a lot of wonderful times together, but it is never enough!! Find solace and a small bit of peace that he is not sick and suffering anymore. Enjoy those memories of your precious time together!….I’m sure he and Tommy each did a high five that they don’t have to take that damn lactulose anymore. I am here day and night for you Connie, as you have always been for me. I love you!
Becki Hess
Gladstone, MI
Bear will be terribly missed by all his friends in Saginaw and across the state.
With love,
Jack & Beth Sargent
Saginaw, MI
Bear will be truly missed. I am so glad that I had a chance to get to know Dan and spend time with him. He was a great person. He could always make me smile no matter what.
Lora Parker
Escanaba, MI
One of my very best friends during our years at Birch Run High school. We kept in touch since graduation. Dan was a fine gentleman and a pleasure to be around.
Brian McNamara
Rockford, MI
Connie and family,
I can not begin to express my sympathy to you at this time of loss. Bear touched all of us at St.Francis each time he had the misfortune of being admitted. This last time was different however. I’m truly greatful that you both were able to fulfill your wish to become husband and wife. I feel so thankful that I was able to make your day extra special considereing the circumstances. It was my pleasure meeting you both and caring for Bear during his stays. He was a wonderful person and will be missed by all whom were touched by him in one way or another.
God Bless you all.
Jaylene Brown,RN
Escanaba, MI
What a loss to each and every one of us. He was so happy all the time and you could tell he was always glowing when he was with you Connie and allso when ever he spoke of you. He is at peace now and we will all meet up there together some day. We were happy to hear you’s got married. Our deepest Sympathy goes to you and his Son and Daughter and all the family. God Bless each and every one of you. Love, Jim and Bonnie
Jim & Bonnie Therrian
Escanaba, MI
Connie, our hearts go out to you….know that we care and love you…..Bear will be truly missed….
Love, Carmel, Jenny, Alli, Haley and Emily.
Carmel Lucier
Gladstone, MI
I will always have wonderful memories of Uncle Bear coming to visit, enjoying dad’s chili and pork steaks, and just being such a down-to-earth, easy-going, great guy. We love you, and we miss you so much, but we know you’re in a much better place. All my love, Lisa Hollerbach (daughter of George Chamberlain)
Anonymous
Bear was a wonderful guy. A truly gentle giant! Along with his many other talents, he was quite a softball player in his younger days in Saginaw. He will be truly missed. God bless and comfort his whole family.
Joe Nunamaker
Saginaw, MI
When I read the names in the obituary listing today in the Saginaw News, Dan’s name jumped out at me; I was saddened to see that this man, was, indeed, the Danny Smith I knew in our childhood and teen years at Assumption Church. I went to Bridgeport Schools and he went to Birch Run, but we attended K-12 catechism classes and celebrated sacraments together at the little church on the corner of Bell and Townline Roads. I remember Danny’s good humor, playful spirit, subtle mischief and his constant singing! And I will always remember that he had a special respect and love for his mother. The Birch Run kids in our teen years called him the Sugar Bear, and I see the name stuck after all those years. The Danny I knew was gentle, kind, and fun, and according to these memorial tributes, he remained that way. I know he will be greatly missed. I send my sympathy to all of Dan’s family and friends.
Mary Rutherford Skoglund
Holland, MI
I didnt know Dan very well as an adult , but as a child I did, our familys got together a lot on holidays, Dan mom & my mom are sisters.I moved away to FL, and lost tract of Danny and Harold.I talked to him since, he was sick.Dan was a fine man and I know he is proud of his children.
Evelyn M. King [Severn}
Kissimmee, FL
Connie, Andrea and Danny;
Bob and I have been good friends of Bears for many years. We travel alot of miles together, sang alot of songs and had lots of laughs and ofcourse stopped at every resturant along the way. He was like a Brother to us and we prayed for him daily. We are so sorry for your loss and ours. Bear will truly be missed. I’m sure he is organizing the choir in heaven. That big booming voice of his will be heard all across the heavens. Until we meet again Bearman. Love and courage to you Connie. We are here if you need us.
Linda Linton
Bentley, MI
I am so glad to have met Dan. I will miss him very much and so will my family. He was not only an awesome drum teacher but, a very great person as well. He was always thoughtful, considerate, and caring. He loved his music, family, and friends so much. I know he really enjoyed teaching me how to play the drums, and I would not have had any other instructor. His memory will live on through the many hearts he has touched with his loving spirit. Dan looked on the brightside of life and pictured the glass half full instead of half empty. He sure smiled a lot, and his smile was contagious. I will always remember him. His passion, perserverance, and endurance will never be forgotten. Now he is up in Heaven with God, waiting for the rest of us at the end of the Rainbow Bridge.
Michelle Wood
Escanaba, MI
Connie,
Your in my prayers. Dan was a wonderful man and I’ll always remember him as my son We got such a kick out of that! You’ll always have wonderful memories, you two made a lot of those together. Call me anytime. Blessings to all. Love ya Hugs Ruth
Ruth Szukalowski
Watson, MI
Connie – so sorry to hear of Bears passing. He will be sadly missed by many friends. It was always great to see you two together. His music will be sadly missed also. We loved it when he would come to the Kipling Bar and play music!! We’re also happy that you and Bear got married!! our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this time
Marty & Patti Gieszer
Rapid River, MI
Connie,
Deepest Sympathy, we will all miss Dan!
Karen Dahl & Staff
Escanaba, MI
Dan was a good friend during our high school days. He will be missed by family and all that knew him. May God provide eternal rest and until we met again God bless our sugar bear.
Fred Klein
Clarkston, MI
My dearest Connie…..You have been my “sister” for many, many years, but you’ve also been a dear friend. My heart breaks for you that you have lost Bear. I hope/know in my heart that you had a lot of wonderful times together, but it is never enough!! Find solace and a small bit of peace that he is not sick and suffering anymore. Enjoy those memories of your precious time together!….I’m sure he and Tommy each did a high five that they don’t have to take that damn lactulose anymore. I am here day and night for you Connie, as you have always been for me. I love you!
Becki Hess
Gladstone, MI
Bear will be terribly missed by all his friends in Saginaw and across the state.
With love,
Jack & Beth Sargent
Saginaw, MI
Bear will be truly missed. I am so glad that I had a chance to get to know Dan and spend time with him. He was a great person. He could always make me smile no matter what.
Lora Parker
Escanaba, MI
One of my very best friends during our years at Birch Run High school. We kept in touch since graduation. Dan was a fine gentleman and a pleasure to be around.
Brian McNamara
Rockford, MI
Connie and family,
I can not begin to express my sympathy to you at this time of loss. Bear touched all of us at St.Francis each time he had the misfortune of being admitted. This last time was different however. I’m truly greatful that you both were able to fulfill your wish to become husband and wife. I feel so thankful that I was able to make your day extra special considereing the circumstances. It was my pleasure meeting you both and caring for Bear during his stays. He was a wonderful person and will be missed by all whom were touched by him in one way or another.
God Bless you all.
Jaylene Brown,RN
Escanaba, MI
What a loss to each and every one of us. He was so happy all the time and you could tell he was always glowing when he was with you Connie and allso when ever he spoke of you. He is at peace now and we will all meet up there together some day. We were happy to hear you’s got married. Our deepest Sympathy goes to you and his Son and Daughter and all the family. God Bless each and every one of you. Love, Jim and Bonnie
Jim & Bonnie Therrian
Escanaba, MI
Connie, our hearts go out to you….know that we care and love you…..Bear will be truly missed….
Love, Carmel, Jenny, Alli, Haley and Emily.
Carmel Lucier
Gladstone, MI
I will always have wonderful memories of Uncle Bear coming to visit, enjoying dad’s chili and pork steaks, and just being such a down-to-earth, easy-going, great guy. We love you, and we miss you so much, but we know you’re in a much better place. All my love, Lisa Hollerbach (daughter of George Chamberlain)
Lisa Hollerbach
St. Louis, MO