Denis Alvin Saffran was born to Alvin and Grace (Bentley) Saffran of New Norway, Alberta on February 20, 1937. His early life was typical of that of a prairie boy with baseball, hockey and curling as his focus. When Denis was 9, he was joined by a baby sister, Jayne. After attending high school at Alberta College in Edmonton, Denis studied at the University of Alberta where he earned his Bachelor of Education. Most of his teaching career was spent in the Mathematics Department at Alberta College, with the exception of 2 years in Dawson City, Yukon as a Vice-Principal and two years teaching in Hay Lakes, Alberta. This is where he met English teacher, Marion Sich. They married in 1964 and had three children: Karen, Holly and Jeffrey.

In 1971, the Saffrans bought an acreage in Ardrossan where they built their first home. Denis believed that those who were fortunate enough to own land should make it productive, and so he added gardener, beekeeper, chicken farmer and eventually, rabbit producer to his list of occupations. In 1975, he formed a small company called Briarpatch Farm Ltd. which supplied government certified rabbits to restaurants and butcher shops in the Edmonton area. He poured his energy into promoting rabbit as a food source while continuing to teach, curl and support 4-H.

Taking a “Freedom 55” retirement, Denis and Marion moved to Kaslo, BC, where they built and operated Morningside Bed and Breakfast for 14 years while still finding plenty of time to fish, garden, curl, hike and volunteer in the Kootenay community. Denis and Marion decided to move to Medicine Hat to be closer to their grandchildren. Denis was a quiet, kind and gentle man. He was fortunate to be a resident at Riverview Care Centre for the last year of his life, until death freed him from the tyranny of Alzheimer’s disease on February 16, 2017. He will be greatly missed by Marion, his sister (Jayne Snook of Strathmore), his children, grandchildren, other family, many friends and past students whose lives were all enriched by knowing him.
In keeping with Denis’ wishes, no funeral service will be held.
To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Denis Saffran, or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.

• Date : 2017-02-16
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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