David Steven Beskal

It is with great sadness that the family of David “Dave” Steven Beskal announce his passing on December 12, 2025, at the age of 90 years. He was born on September 24, 1935.

Dave’s family emigrated from Ukraine to Saskatchewan where he was born in Cudworth, SK, the youngest of Nicholas and Alice Beskal’s nine children. The family was very poor during the depression and depended on government handouts. At the age of 7, Dave and the family moved to Prince Albert, SK, where Nicolas got a job on the railroad. The English language was a challenge to all in the family.

Dave excelled in all sports. He passed grade 8 and that year won junior boys Athlete of the Year for all the schools in Prince Albert, SK. He worked in Churchill, loading grain to boats and Burn’s Meats. Then Dave began his career in hockey, being selected by the Humboldt Indians of the Western Hockey League, coached by the famous Scotty Munroe. Afterward, he was invited to play in the International Hockey League and the U.S. Hockey League. He was bounced around to many teams in the U.S. and Western Canada.

Back home in the summer he got his first truck and worked long hours to succeed. He met Wendy and they were married in 1964, raising their four children, Cindy, Bruce, Karen, and Shelly. These were busy times for the family as Dave put in long hours trucking and building the family home on First Street. The cabin at Candle Lake, SK, was another project, where the happiest times as a family were spent boating, fishing, and waterskiing on the beautiful lakefront property.

Dave was very proud of his 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren who will remember him for the fun times and his jokes. He was always the life of the party and enjoyed horseback riding, skating on the pond, many wiener roasts, games of baseball, and skidooing with his family. He always had a small acreage where he kept horses and peeled rails. He was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame with the Anavets Hockey Team. He played noon hour hockey until the age of 75. He retired from trucking that same year. After this, life slowed down and he and Wendy did lots of traveling across Canada and to many warm spots, including Hawaii, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and South America, as well as spending lots of time in Arizona in the cold winter months.

Dave passed away peacefully of heart failure after a years residence at Mont St. Joseph Home, where he was tended to by the wonderful and compassionate staff. The care shown there was above and beyond what could be expected.

Dave is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Wendy Beskal; daughter, Cindy (Larry) Olson and children, Steven (Megan) and their children, Saber, Everly and Buddy, and Becky (Drew) and their children, Amayah, Rosie, and Jack; Bruce’s children, Kristopher (Jenean) and their children, Kasey and Bo, Alica (Chad) and their children, Eva and Olivia, and Eric; daughter, Karen and her children, Katie (Al) and Stephanie (Tyler); daughter, Shelly (Larry) Kostiuk and children, James (Jalisa), Cody (Ashley) and their daughter, Danika, and Elise (Jess); sister-in-law, Patricia Beskal; daughter-in-law, Lucille Duret Beskal; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Dave is predeceased by his parents, Nicholas and Alice Beskal; his beloved son, Bruce Beskal; grandson, Andrew; his eight siblings, and his parents-in-law.

Private services will be held at a later date. In lieu of other tributes, donations in Dave’s memory may be directed to Mont St Joseph Foundation Inc, https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/10125, where Dave received such excellent care for his dementia, or to the Dementia Society, info@dsorc.org    . The family asks that you remember Dave with fond memories and tell stories in his honour.

Dave, the sky became a little brighter since you are in Heaven. Have a vodka and O.J every day!

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lorne Adams , Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322

 

• Date : 2025-12-12
• Location : Prince Albert, SK