Daniel Buza

Daniel Casimir Buza, 79, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2022, at the Oliver Woods Assisted Living facility in Owosso, Michigan.

Dan was born to Anthony and Angeline Buza on November 18, 1942, in Alpena, Michigan.

He is survived by two sons, Nathan Daniel (Trisha) of Houston, TX and Anthony Benjamin (Jacalynn) Buza of Owosso, MI; Dan was “DziaDzia” to six grandchildren: Reese, Roman and Vale (Nathan and Trisha) and Kennedy, Delaney and Colton (Anthony and Jacalynn). Dan is also survived by his brother, David Buza, and five sisters: Marilyn Kuszajewski, Marcia (Ronald) Urban, Annette (Fred) Sanchagrin, Paulette Woloszyk, and Denise (Alex) Krajniak.

He was preceded in death by two of his sisters: Dolores Buza and Kathleen Idalski.

Dan grew up in Posen working on the family farm where they raised grain, beef, pork, and poultry in addition to a garden full of vegetables and an orchard full of apples. Like many in the surrounding community, farm life instilled a strong work ethic in Dan that he carried into his adulthood. He grew up speaking and understanding the Polish which he used often with friends and neighbors.

In 1960, he graduated from Posen High School and soon moved to the Metro Detroit area where he worked for Pontiac Motors (GM) and Clawson Concrete for several years. In 1974, at the age of 32, he moved back to Posen and purchased his father’s farm. Dan married Sally Mae Smolinski and together they raised two sons who learned how to raise cattle, pick eggs, haul hay, pick stones each spring, and pull weeds. Dan taught his sons the importance of work which shaped their characters. He liked to speak Polish when he did not want his boys to know what he was saying.

In addition to farming, Dan worked for the Presque Isle County Road Commission where he retired in 2004 after 25 years of service. Memorable Christmas parties were spent at the farm with the entire extended Buza family. Summers and weekends were often populated with nephews who loved coming to “Uncle Danny’s” farm (and Dan liked to put them to work).

Upon his passing, his sons and former wife exchanged many memories of Dan and the farm. He had a witty sense of humor that he shared openly with his sons and their friends. They appreciated his “smart alec” humor and became a part of it. In addition to spending plenty of time in the fields, barns, and garage, they recalled how much he loved the peace of the outdoors, deer hunting on the farm, and even a few trips to Colorado for elk. Dan was an avid collector of scrap metal, random nuts and bolts, bungee cords, and zip ties. He said they might “come in handy” someday. He loved listening to the radio as he worked, particularly ABBA. While summers were busy with farm work, he would join his family on nearby camping trips. His evenings were often spent watching Wild America on PBS (often with his eyes closed). Johnny Cash and Clint Eastwood were his heroes and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was one of his favorite movies. When it came time for him to depart from his family, he left quietly and peacefully in the middle of the night.

A celebration of life will be held at the family farm in Posen. His family and friends will be notified of the date, place and time.

“Eternal rest grant onto him, O Lord. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.”

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to the Hospice Foundation of America on their website http://www.hospicefoundation.org