It’s been a tough year but his prayers were finally answered.

Junction Triangle resident Daniel Masih has been campaigning to have a “blasphemous” slogan stripped from a sign outside a church-turned-lofts development in his neighbourhood since mid-January. All the while, he’s also been dealing with a family tragedy.

“We understand that the family has had some difficulties,” said Alex Speigel, head of loft developer Windmill Development Group’s Toronto office. “If you can do a little gesture that helps ease somebody’s pain a little bit, then why not do that?”

“Praise the loft,” read the offending slogan on a sign outside Union Lofts. Masih called it “blasphemous” and said it offended his mother.

On Friday, Speigel decided the slogan will be covered up – a compassionate gesture, he said. The developer found out about Masih's story when a resident called and told him.

“It’s definitely a great, positive resolution,” Masih told the Star upon hearing the news.

Masih’s family has been through an unimaginable ordeal in the past year.

In July, police found the bodies of his older brother, Samuel Masih, and his brother’s two sons, Tyrese Sutherland, 10, and Shantosh, 4, in a burnt-out car near Barrie.

“It’s tough because the family is always thinking about our loved ones that we lost,” said Masih. “Every Christmas or a birthday or an anniversary … that’s always a hard time.”

The investigation is still ongoing but police at the time said they were “satisfied that the person responsible for the other two deaths perished in the vehicle as well.”

“We have no definite answers,” said Masih.

However, he said the removal of the slogan is a “separate thing,” a victory he attributed to his steadfast campaign and a petition with 33 signatures.

While many in the community initially dismissed Masih’s concerns, some have since changed their minds.

“Previously I thought it was a bit of a stretch,” said resident Kevin Putnam.

But once Putnam learned about Masih’s family tragedy and spoke with him, he was moved.

“I did feel bad for him because he was such an earnest fellow,” he said. “Your heart sinks when you hear that kind of a story.”

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Masih, who was raised Catholic and grew up in the Junction Triangle area, said he was proud he could enact change.

“We’re very thankful and very happy,” Masih said.