Daniel Sackett

Daniel Floyd Sackett walked through Heaven’s gates and was embraced by his loving parents and his Lord and Savior. Daniel passed away at age 63, on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016, in Missoula, from complications of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Family and friends were by his side.

Daniel, the third child of Oliver and Isobel D'Amboise Sackett, came to this planet on Aug. 20, 1953, at 4:15 p.m. in Missoula, where he joined his sister, Rita Ann, and brother, Steven Oliver (Steve). The family was later completed by the addition of fourth child, David Jeffery.

Daniel graduated from Hellgate High School in 1972. After graduation, he attended trade school and learned welding. He took a two year course at Carroll College in Helena, studying Formations of Lay Ministry.

While in high school, he made many lifelong friends, but none as good as his best friend, Gene Curran. Daniel met Gene in June 1968 while attending summer school. On a trip to Gene's home to listen to records, they discovered that Gene's sister, Mary, had taken his record player with her to babysit and wouldn't return until later that night. Later, Daniel would come to marry the girl who stole the record player.

Daniel and Mary Curran became husband and wife on March 15, 1975, and welcomed a son, Christopher Nathan, and daughter, Elizabeth Marie, to their family.

Daniel held many jobs through his lifetime, including jobs at ACM Mill in Bonner, Taber's Truck Stop in East Missoula, as well as fast food work. He began an 18 year career with Missoula Bus Depot in 1975, while also working part time for the Missouri Valley trails, the Missoula Federal Credit Union, Rimrock Stages, and a restaurant cleaning company.

He began his dream job at Missoula Urban Transportation in 1991 on the Mountain Line, where he enjoyed "sitting on his butt all day, driving in circles, and telling people where to get off." No matter the time of day, he always had time to give a smile and a "good morning" to everyone.

Daniel was a member of Saint Anthony Catholic Church. He served on the parish board and taught Sunday school with Mary, where he had the opportunity to share his love of God with so many.

Those who knew him valued his low key style of ministry and cherished his guidance as a mentor. He shared his love of God and his numerous blessings throughout his life. The gifts God gave him made him, in his words, "the richest man in the world."

Daniel was a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and the Teamsters Local Number 2.