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UPDATE: Prominent Prince Albert citizen passes away

Apr 10, 2013 | 2:28 PM

A prominent and highly thought of citizen of Prince Albert has passed away.

Wednesday morning Herschel Davidner died in hospital of unknown conditions.

The 86-year-old owner of Davidner’s Clothing on River Street West ran the store with his father selling work and western wear.

Close friend of Davidner and his father was former mayor Jim Scarrow who remembers him fondly.

“He was just a wonderful caring human being, so it’s a great loss for our city but also for the area because Herschel had a great belief in farming and a great compassion for people who farmed and was always at the forefront of any initiatives to help farmers, and in particular 4-H was a special project of his,” Scarrow said, explaining he always sponsored the 4-H beef show.

He said Davidner followed in his father’s footsteps spending most of his time and dedication in the store and community.

“Herschel and is father are well remembered for their store, but their citizenship; they were outstanding citizens and exemplary in every way,” he said.

“The role he played in the business community was always a good one,” Scarrow continued.

“Herschel always had good valued advice to pass along and was active in a number of business organizations and certainly contributed greatly to the retail attraction of Prince Albert to particularly to the rural community and the working man.”

Fred Matheson of Ted Matheson’s Men’s Wear has been involved in Prince Albert’s downtown business sector his whole life and has known Davidner just as long, explaining he had “his own way of doing things.”

“I’ve always looked up to Herschel and I’ve always admired his hard work and his tenacity and his advice over the years,” Matheson said. “I always remember Herschel as being a kind gentleman too.”

“He gave so much of his time and dollars to this community.”

Matheson said Davidner’s store was one of the biggest anchors for the city and downtown area.

“That was the one place that everybody knew that if they needed something that’s what they can get there.”

Davidner won Citizen of the Year in 1982 and is well-known for his involvement in the community, contributing annually to the Children’s Haven, Prince Albert SPCA, Prince Albert Exhibition Association and more.

Matheson put into words the magnitude of Davidner’s influence on the city and said he’ll be missed.

“Prince Albert is known for Herschel Davidner and that’s one thing that we’ll always be known for.”

Davidner  leaves behind a wife Jean of 57 years, three children and grandchildren.  Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the MacKenzie Funeral Chapel.

Share your favourite memory of Davidner below.

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