Daniel (Dan) Selahowski passed away peacefully at home on April 11, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. Dan was born on March 2, 1948 in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Arthur and Edna (Balcerzak) Selahowski.
Dan was a graduate of Madison Heights High School. After graduating, he joined the Navy and served as a weatherman onboard many ships. He always felt serving this country was one of his greatest honors. Upon discharge four years later, Dan attended Central Michigan University and then pursued his passion of caring and helping by attending New York University, where he earned his degree in physical therapy.
Dan certainly followed his own advice to - “Find a job you love and never stop stretching that goal. Be willing to take the job nobody wants and don’t let the "no’s” stop you.” Dan began his career with the Sister Kenny Foundation at Pontiac General Hospital and became the Director of PT. In 1984 he and a partner started Prescription Fitness Inc. in Waterford, Michigan, where he worked tirelessly to serve the community and developed an outstanding reputation. He loved working with everyone and seemed especially drawn to high school athletes. Dan did rehab for many professional athletes, but he always loved working with “the kids."
Volunteering was just a part of Dan’s composition, and for many years he served as a trainer to the U.S. Roller Sports teams. He had the honor of being the trainer for the U.S. in-line roller skating team at the World Championships in Australia. Even in retirement, Dan volunteered at Pentwater Schools with their soccer team and provided training for athletes in all sports. He became known as “Trainer Dan." Dan was a member of the Boosters, working tirelessly to help provide more to the sports teams. He was always looking for the next fundraiser!
We lost a good man today. With all his volunteerism, it never compared to the roles he cherished most - father and later grandfather. The tapestry of who Dan was, is beautiful. A gentle soul who never met a stranger and always looked for the good in people. He could make anyone laugh. Each day he started with a prayer that he would be in a position to do something kind for someone. Somehow, he always managed to fulfill that prayer through coaching, helping someone in need, assisting with food distribution or developing other opportunities to improve a life. As a humble man, he never took credit for all the contributions he made or all the lives he touched. Dan taught his sons to “be kind to the stranger no one sees." He led a full life with honesty and integrity.
Dan loved the outdoors, and it didn’t matter how he was experiencing it. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, photography, morel hunting, gardening and so much more. If you could do it outside, he took it on.
We will forever miss his kindness, his love for his family, his spirit, and his compassion for the community of people around him. The world was a better place with him in it.
Dan is survived by: his wife of nearly 48 years, Maura (Caruth); sons Kyle (Lisa), Evan (Julie) and Collin (Jessie); grandchildren, Madison, Owen, Ellie and Wyatt; sister, Janice; and brother-in-law, Ronald Smolinski. He was loved by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Dan was preceded in death by; parents, Arthur and Edna Selahowski.
Funeral services, with Military Honors, will be conducted at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Ave., Shelby, Michigan 49455, with Father Phillip Sliwinski presiding. The family will receive friends from noon until the start of services, Saturday, at Harris Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or stjude.org/memorial; Pentwater Booster’s, 600 E. Park St., Pentwater, MI 49449; or the Pentwater Artisan Center, 780 Park St., Pentwater, MI 49449.
Shelby Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements. harrisfhome.com
