FRANK FONTAINE

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FRANK FONTAINE It is with great sadness that the Fontaine family of the Sagkeeng Ojibway First Nation / Fort Alexander announces the passing of Frank Fontaine at age 82. Frank Fontaine was born November 17, 1923, at Sagkeeng to Veronica Fontaine (nee Guimond) and Joe Gus Fontaine ( Iron Joe ). Frank was the fifth child of 13 Fontaine siblings: John H., Madeline Gerard, Alphonse, Louey, (then Frank), Freda Bear, Josephine Guimond, Lillian, Howard, Douglas, Ambrose, Norman and Sandra Swampy. After suffering a stroke on July 18 from which he never regained consciousness, and with his family at is his side, he passed on the morning of July 23, 2005, at the Pine Falls Hospital. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the staff at the Concordia and Pine Falls Hospitals. Frank was predeceased by his second eldest son, Franklin Fontaine; and his older brothers John Henry Fontaine, Louey, Alphonse; his older sister Madelaine; and by his younger brother Howard; and his very special friend, Frank Courchene ( Gweems ). Frank is survived by his loving wife Susan Fontaine (nee Everett); and eight of their children, Ferdinand (Betty), Peter (Augusta), the twins Patrick and Patricia (Ben), Veronica (Rene), Sheila, Clementine and Jonathan; as well as by numerous grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; great nieces; and great nephews. Frank was almost always the centre of a gathering with his jokes or his fiddling. It was through his music that, above all else, Frank provided all with happiness, festiveness and the opportunity for a very long jig. Frank was an Indian Residential School Survivor. In his youthful days Frank was also an Anicinaabe woodsman and an extremely hard worker who embodied the virtues of hardiness and resourcefulness. He never forgot a name or a face. Beyond his Sagkeeng community, he will be most remembered as a musical performer who fiddled his way to all over the far reaches of Manitoba. Frank's spirit will live on through his unrelenting sense of Fontaine humour in all those he touched. He taught many young men of his community how to play the strings of a fiddle or a guitar, especially his own boys. He was also renowned for appointing caricaturized nicknames to many he cared for. The pallbearers are Marvin Fontaine, Rubin Bunn, Jeffery Sinclair, Martin Bear, Harold Everett and Victor Everett. Honorary pallbearers are Earl Fontaine, Taydi Fontaine, Shelly Twoheart, Ken Kennedy, Kevin Fontaine and Gabe Bruyere. The Wake will be held from July 24 until July 26. The memorial services will be held at the Sagkeeng Church on Wednesday, July 27, 2005. No one dies unless they are forgotten; and certainly, Frank's bonding love knows no bounds. He meant so much to a lot of people.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2005