Obituary of Donald Lawrence "Don" Happy

With tears in our eyes, we announce the sudden passing of our Beloved Husband, Daddy and Grandpa Don Happy at the age of 57 on October 27, 2018 in his home at Good Spirit Acres. Donald Lawrence Happy the second Eldest child of Emil Happy & Rosie Kwasny was born on January 15 1961 at the Preeceville Union Hospital. Don was raised on a farm south of Preeceville and completed grade 12 at Preeceville School in 1979. From an early age Don was a hard worker and in his teens worked various jobs including construction. On Sept 19 1981 Don married his soul mate Marie Cowie and they settled in to a small house in Preeceville to start their life of 37 years together. Like all marriages they had their share of rough patches but for the most part Don and Marie were inseparable. If you saw one you could be sure that the other was close behind. Their profound love for one another grew over the years and was not unnoticed by others. On January 22, 1982 they welcomed to the world their daughter, Cristal Louise. She was the light of Don's life and he was her best friend and hero. Over the course of the next couple of years Don worked as the Parts Manager for the local JD dealership and Dodge Dealership in Preeceville. On their 5th wedding anniversary they purchased their farm south of Preeceville, just a few miles away from the farm where Don grew up. The next few years were spent farming and working various jobs on and off the farm which eventually included getting his feet wet in the golf car industry while working with The Wayne Heinrich Family businesses, Preeceville Tractor and LAKE Distributing. In 1992 a series of events saw Don's part time auto repair business transform into Happy's Auto/Golf Cart Sales & Service. This worked well as a family business on the farm and complimented their thriving cattle operation. While Marie stayed back and manned the phones Don spent countless hours on the road selling and servicing golf carts all over western Canada. It was during those road trips he spent the most time with his daughter who was his shop hand, administrator and GPS. This truly was a family owned and operated business. The business grew beyond the limits of the farm and in the spring of 1999 the Sales and Service Center was opened at Good Spirit Acres. Many wondered why Don and Marie picked this location and didn't choose a larger center to relocate but a few years prior they had purchased a lot on the 16th Tee off of Good Spirit Golf Course with the dream of living on the course and golfing well into retirement. In the summer of 2003 the farm sold and the dream became a reality (minus the retirement) Don and Marie spent their summers working the business and getting in as many rounds of golf as possible. His winters were spent curling and riding the snowmobile trails which took him to many locations throughout the province. As the years passed the family grew with the addition of a Son in Law, Ed Ockochinski of Springside and 2 Grandchildren who adored their Grandpa. Leland and Emma would fight over who could sit in Grandpa's big chair with him which usually resulted in all 3 of them being jammed in the big blue recliner. Don was a man of many talents and abilities and he had a passion for cars and sports. He could often be found tinkering in the shop fabbing up gag gifts for his friends or modifying something factory built to "build it the right way". He was very proud of his 1951 Ford Custom and has a trophy case full of trophies as reward for the 7 years' worth of blood, sweat and tears he put into it. Don was an avid Montreal Canadians, Sask Rough Riders, curling and NASCAR fan, but if ever asked to attend a live event the response would be" why would I go there when I have the best view from my big blue chair." Don had a kind heart and a bright smile, his laid back attitude and quiet wit will be missed by everyone who's lives he touched. Don was predeceased by his Grandparents Mike and Annie (nee Duchyminski) Happy and Paul and Mary (nee Matsalla) Kwasny; a nephew Michael Happy (in infancy); a niece Samantha Cowie (in infancy) Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife & best friend Marie of Good Spirit Acres, his daughter & her husband Cristal & Ed Ockochinski of Springside, his grandson Leland and granddaughter Emma; his father, Emil Happy of Ituna, SK; mother, Rosie Kwasny of Canora, SK; his siblings, Martin Happy of Wolsley, SK, Allan (Deb) Happy of Preeceville, SK, Gene (Holly) Happy of Viking AB, Linda (Shan) Wahl of Regina, SK, Wayne (Lorelei) Happy of Yorkton, SK; his in-laws, Donna & Grey Cowie of Carnduff SK; brothers- in- law, Brian (Kat) Cowie of Carnduff, SK and Allen (Lori) Cowie of Regina SK along with numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many dear friends. Service Information Monday, November 5th, 2018 11:00am, St. Mary's Cultural Centre Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens