HARRY JOSEPH DESJARLAIS MOSHABE

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HARRY JOSEPH DESJARLAIS MOSHABE Following a long illness and a courageous struggle with diabetes, Harry Desjarlais died peacefully on Sunday, December 14, 2003 at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB, surrounded by his family. Predeceased by his parents, James Desjarlais and Emily (Spence) Desjarlais; his aunt and uncle, Clifford and Olive Eastman (who raised him after his mother Emily passed away), brothers and sisters, Andrew Desjarlais, Oliver Desjarlais, Theresa Demerais, Victoria Roulette, Laurent Desjarlais, Donald Desjarlais, and a special nephew Dennis Desjarlais. He is survived by his wife Rona (Sutherland) and four children, Maureen (Josh Roulette), James, Amiee, and Faye; his brother Douglas (Donna) his two surviving sisters, Mary Whitford, and Nora Houle; half-brother Ray (Diana) Beaulieu; half-sister Ruby (Alphonse) Leclerc; stepbrothers, Ricky (Debra) Coyne, Michael (Rona) Dumas; and stepsister Yvette (Lloyd) McIvor and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces. Harry was born on January 31, 1948 at home on the Sandy Bay Indian Reserve. He was a Residential School Survivor. Harry had a varied and colourful career. He was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and worked in manufacturing, restaurants, delivery and transport in both urban and rural Manitoba. He also worked as a farmhand and eventually worked assisting farm-workers and farmers in the Portage la Prairie area. He served as Chief of his reserve for two terms. He ran his own business for six years prior to his forced retirement due to illness. He continued to mentor, advise and counsel young people, family and friends. He was a hunter, a medicine man, a family man, a hard working man and highly appreciated by his community. A wake is being held at Harry and Ronas residence at Sandy Bay. A traditional aboriginal ceremony will be held Thursday morning. Funeral mass will be held on Thursday, December 18 at 2:00 p.m. in Our Lady Of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Sandy Bay, MB with Father Mike Nwosu officiating. Interment will follow in the Sandy Bay Cemetery. Lunch will follow at the Amaranth Hall. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate individual contributions to a charity of ones choice. Clarkes Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2003