Family tragedy prompts Wass to step aside at GIA
Pub Date: 11/1/2008
In the September issue of the Montana Tavern Times, it was reported Marc Wass, president of the Gaming Industry Association of Montana, was the proud father of a new baby girl and that his wife, Dawn, was doing well.
That should have been the beginning of a wonderful new chapter in Marc and Dawn Wass's lives.
But that has not been the case.
An October 20 statement released by Marc's father and business partner, Dave Wass, said in August it was discovered that Dawn had a serious brain aneurysm.
She underwent a successful 11-hour operation to repair the aneurysm Sept. 26, the statement said, but the next day Dawn suffered a massive stroke and was said to be "permanently and severely handicapped."
The statement continued, "Marc has chosen to be a full-time father to baby daughter Lauren and two-and-a-half-year-old Jack, as well as a full-time care-giver for wife Dawn.
"The family has been forced to sell their homes in Butte and Billings," the release said. "Marc has given up his interest in Little Nevada Casinos as well as Shorty's in Butte. For the foreseeable future, the family will reside in the Coeur d'Alene / Bayview area IN Idaho. < br / > < br / > & quot; 'Papa' Dave Wass, along WITH ALL the super staff, will continue to operate Little Nevada Casinos including the Billings AND Butte locations, & quot; the statement read . < br / > < br / > Neil Peterson,
executive Director OF the Gaming Industry Association OF Montana(GIA), said the remainder OF Marc' s term AS president OF GIA would be filled BY
& quot; acting president & quot; John Tooke. < br / > < br / > Tooke, OF the Golden Spur IN Miles City,
previously served a term as the organization' s president. < br / > < br / > The Tavern Times sends thoughts AND
prayers Dawn's way IN the interest OF speedy healing and recovery TO the utmost extent possible. < br / > < br / > < i > Source : The Montana Tavern Times, November, 2008, published monthly BY
Continental Communications, 125 W.Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701. < / i > < br / >