October 27, 2002, was a sad day for us, for we lost a very caring and loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great grandfather, to a sudden death for which we were not prepared. We always saw him as a strong and healthy man.
I am honored to have had the privilege to have been able to call the late John Neeposh “Dad.” He was the only dad I’ve known, and the only grandfather my three children knew and we’ve come to love and respect him.
Over the 27 years I’ve known him, I saw how caring and loving he was to his wife Annie. I saw how he was with his children, loving each one equally, there was no favoritism with them. He had a lot of respect for them and the same was for his grandchildren.
Our dad had a great sense of humor. He never failed to make us laugh with words or his actions and he did the same with his grandchildren. One memory stands out, how he used to hold his grandchildren or great grandchildren and tickle them with his big white beard when he would hug them making them laugh or cry with fright as it was the case of the youngest great grandchild Crystal.
Dad was a very hard working man and he loved the bush life and he passed on still being in the bush which he loved so much and I believe he passed away happy because of where he was. Dad always went out of his way to help others in the community, whether it was to drive someone here or there or bringing caribou meat for the other elders in the community. He never complained or refused anyone’s help. Most of all he did a lot for his children, big and small things. From making snowshoes to going in the bush with his sons, to making home cooked meals so those of us who worked could grab a quick lunch at their home whenever they were in the community. Dad we will miss those home cooked meals.
His grandsons learned a lot from him about the traditional way of life and for that I’m thankful because my two sons Aaron and Isaac had no one else to teach them other than their dad. They surely learned from the best.
When I remember you, Dad, I will remember all you did for my family and me. Thanks for giving me the privilege to call you ‘Dad’ and giving my children LeeAnn, Aaron and Isaac the one to call you ‘Grandpa’ and to my grandchildren Serenitee, Yasmine and Crystal to call you ‘Great Grandpa’.
We will miss you, but we will never forget you…
Your daughter-in-law, Kathleen Neeposh.
In closing, on behalf of the Neeposh Family, we would extend our thanks and our appreciation to Maggie and Matthew Wapachee, Caroline & Alice Mianscum from Ouje-Bougoumou for standing by us when we had to tell Mom of Dad’s passing. To Thomas Coon, Jimmy Trapper, Paul Coon and the Ouje-Bougoumou Police for doing all they could to help dad at the bush camp. The employees of Chibougamou Hospital and Chibougamou Ambulance Team for their help. Chibougamou Funeral Home for their help. Flower Shops in Chibougamou for their services. The communities of Mistissini, Ouje-Bougoumou and Waswanipi for their support. Chibougamou Friendship Center and Annie Gunner for providing accomodations for the family. Philemon Gunner for being by mom’s side during the night. Stanley and Stephanie Mianscum for driving Dad’s vehicle back to Nemaska. Harry Mianscum for conducting the funeral service. Charle and Linda Awashish for all their help. Matthew Gunner for offering to help with personal belong’s at LG 4. Cree School Board and Cree Health Board for providing transportation for the family members that had to come home for the funeral (LeeAnn, Tommy, Jean and Caroline). Chief and Council of the Nemaska First Nation, Nemaska Police Services (Clarence Jolly) for their support. Nemaska Community Church Pastor Kenny and Madeleine Jolly, Harriet Wapachee and the congregation being with us the night we received the sad news. She-She Guin Day Care, Malcolm and Doris Tanoush and all their helpers. Brenda Rose Wapachee for looking after lodging for those who came for the funeral and the community members of Nemaska for all their support during our time of sorrow and all those who came out of town to give us support. We truly appreciate it and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Mom also wants to personally thank Daniel and Mary Bosum for always providing for them the traditional food they lacked (beaver).
The Neeposh Family.
