BERTRAM BILL FONTAINE (BILLY)

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BERTRAM BILL FONTAINE
February 16, 1961 - May 4, 2020

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Bertram (Billy) Fontaine on May 4, 2020. After a long, courageous fight, he was taken by the creator.
His life will forever be cherished by his beloved wife Darlene, sons, Aaron and Billy Jo, daughter Tahni; his parents, Albert and Theresa Fontaine, his nine siblings and their partners, his many nieces and nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts, dear friends and in-laws. He will also be sorely missed by his loyal friend and companion "Banks", the family dog who was by his side always.
Billy was born in Pine Falls and grew up in Sagkeeng. Opaskwayak Cree Nation was Billy's adopted second home. Billy had a large extended family (Fontaine's and Bruyere's). Billy was a kind, gentle, humble and unassuming individual who from the earliest age was also a trickster and teaser who had a sharp wit and crazy sense of humour. You couldn't be around Billy without having a good laugh. He was good medicine. His characteristics and talents were many. An avid and accomplished artist, Billy brought to life his deepest thoughts and emotions through his artwork and poetry. His influence in art was the "Woodlands" style of the Anicinabek. He was self-taught and had no guidance from a Master or an institution. He painted until his final days. His poetry was equally impressive and threaded on both the dark and bright side of life. His poetry was unlike the contemporary style or the "Moon in June" genre. He found beauty and awe in anything and was able to weave his words in a style distinctly his own. His poem "Ode to E" won acclaim and recognition from the National Library of Poetry. A favourite activity for Billy was spending time outdoors and connecting with nature. He looked forward to his nature walks with the family and Banks. When it was not walking, he would settle for a jump in the car with the family and they would go cruising with his Classic Rock tunes playing. These activities demonstrated Billy was simple and content where it counted most, with his family. He was a smart guy and read many classics and one that he was particularly intrigued by was "The Doors of Perception" by Aldous Huxley which influenced some of his art and poetry.
In 1979, at 17 years old, he graduated from high school in Whitehorse, Yukon where he was living with his uncle and aunt (Phil and Janet) and their children. After his graduation, he proudly returned home with a "golden nugget" he had received as a graduation gift and he left with something just as important, which was a respect for the north and its people. Billy travelled many places throughout his life including several memorable hockey tours to Paris, Barcelona, Helsinki, Montreal and places throughout Canada. There are many "unmentionables" that will be remembered by those who had the pleasure of his presence on those trips, including his brothers, cousins and friends. When he was a teenager he travelled simply for "adventure" like hitch hiking to Prince Edward Island one summer with his cousin, or his trip to Los Angeles in his cousin's Maverick to "make it big". More recent trips and dearer to his heart, was a trip to Sapporo city in Hokkaido, Japan where he enjoyed watching his son play hockey or enjoying the lights in Las Vegas with his wife. Career wise, Billy always found work and a way to support and provide for his family. He enjoyed working for the Manitoba TLE office in The Pas and later the Winnipeg district office where he moved with his family. He was very fond of his many community meetings with elders and leaders during this period. He also worked with Cree Nation Child and Family Services where he made lasting connections with families and children.
Billy's proudest achievement was when he was united in holy matrimony to Darlene Burns on July 31, 1993. Their three children were the brightness and magic in their lives. They were blessed to have Billy as a father and he was equally blessed to have them as children. He will be missed immensely and until we meet him again may he have eternal rest and peace.
Active Pallbearers: Aaron Burns-Fontaine, Billy-Jo Fontaine, Donavan (Jake) Fontaine, Todd Fontaine, Cornell Fontaine and Claude Bruyere. Honorary Pallbearers: Raymond Burns Sr., Mike Fontaine, Garry Bear, Garred Bignell, Jarrad Buchannon, Chop Melnyk.
Special thanks: Sandra and Donald Melnyk, Sylvia Stevens and family, Chief Chris Sinclair, Clarissa Burns, Elder Bill Ballantyne, Agnes Kirkness Ida Mcgillivary, Dr. Volpe, nursing staff, home care aides who attended to Billy, Tara Guimond, Elder Norman Meade, Father Francois Paradis, Rose Bone, Henry and Sylvia Christie, and everyone who generously donated to Bill and family.
Interment and funeral services held on May 7, 2020 in Sagkeeng First Nation. A feast to celebrate Billy's life will take place in summer 2020.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 08, 2020