STEVE ALLAN PRINCE

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STEVE ALLAN PRINCE (Oshashqua-Giizhic Blue Sky) Steve Allan Prince (Oshashqua-Giizhic Blue Sky) born March 20, 1955 peacefully passed on with family and friends at his side on September 20, 2006 at the Portage General Hospital. Anyone remembering Steve will know him for the unending compassion and empathy towards his fellow persons. Steve leaves to mourn his beloved wife Donna, sons Jonathon (Sylvia), Kirt (Marie), Stephen (Lisa), daughter Jocelyn and daughter-in-law Priscilla, several grandchildren Samantha, Seth, Brendyn, Ebony, Kamile, Darian, Eleoner, Chris, Kyle, Tyler, Tracer, Raven and special adopted grandchildren Robert, Stephanie, Desiray, Alfred and Fantasia. Steve was predeceased by his parents Rufus and Doreen Prince and grandson Aysious. He is survived by brothers, Doug (Helen), Simon (Garda), Larry (Elizabeth), Dennis (Brenda), Earl (Marjorie), George (Karen), Peter (Tara), Shane, Kyle and sisters Jean, Betty, Leona (Glen), Sandy, Yvette, Yvonne, Stephanie and special mother Grace and sister Virginia, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces nephews and relatives. Steve had a special relationship with his in-laws John and Ruth Lafreniere and family and special friend / sister for life Florine Prince. In addition to this family, Steve's special brothers Chris Henderson, Remi Lapointe and Trevor Bachiu and all of his Martial Arts family. In his early years, Steve received his education at the Birtle and Brandon Residential Schools and later the Portage School Division. He attended Red River Community College and Brandon University. After leaving University, Steve was employed by Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council specializing in economic development. For a short period of time he owned and operated Steve's Restaurant at South Port. Following this venture he became a Councilor for Long Plain First Nation and later was employed as an Economic Development Director up to the time of his illness. Steve was a visionary forerunner in creating and promoting positive growth for the Aboriginal Communities and instrumental in developing the Keeshkeemaquah Gaming Center. He enjoyed many successful accomplishments too numerous to mention. In his spare time Steve submersed himself into one of his main passions, Martial Arts. It is here where he will probably be best remembered and where he successfully created his own style. At present he is the only aboriginal in North America who developed his own fighting system, the Black Dragon Martial Arts. Steve maintained a ranking of Grand Master 10th Degree Black Belt Status in Black Dragon. As well he held numerous Black Belts and degrees in other arts including Jui Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Arnis, Dumog and Sikaran. As stated by one of his dear friends, Anybody could be a warrior, but Steve was a warrior with a heart! He will be sadly missed by his students. The family wishes to give a special thank-you to the Portage District General Hospital Medical and Surgical Staff along with Dr. Kinnear for the many efforts given to make Steve's last days as comfortable as possible. A funeral service will begin with a wake at the Keeshkeemaquah Centre at 4:00 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 24 performed by Father Michael Wallbaum. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 25 performed by Pastor Dave Heasler. The wake and traditional service will take place between the prayer and funeral service. (All students may come in their uniforms if they wish). Interment will follow at Prince Cemetery, Long Plain, Manitoba. A tribute DVD in memory of Steve will be produced by the Omega Funeral Home and friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com Dedicated to those we serve .

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 23, 2006