Henry “Niigaanis” Copenace, 72, of 640 First St. E., Fort Frances, Ont., formerly of Onigaming First Nation, Ont., passed away with his family by his side on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Henry was born May 25, 1937 at Onigaming First Nation to the late Gerald and Maggie Copenace. Henry grew up and lived in the community all of his life.
On June 6, 1956, he was united in marriage to the former Lucy Medicine. Following marriage, they began their family and raised two children.
Henry had worked for the Ministry of Natural Resources for many years. He also worked in construction, and at the sawmills at Rainy River First Nation and at Nestor Falls, Ont.
As an outdoorsman, he enjoyed his commercial fishing in the summers, and occasional trapping and snowmobiling in the winters.
Henry held strong cultural beliefs, and he often would be seen dancing and singing at the pow-wows. His family meant a great to him, and he loved playing with the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Henry will be dearly missed by his family and friends alike.
Henry is survived by his wife, Lucy Copenace, and son, Dennis Copenace, of Onigaming First Nation, Ont.; six grandchildren, Cynthia Copenace (Mike Penagin), Crystal (John) Bouchard, Don (Angie) Copenace, Curtis Copenace, Dennis Copenace, and Kenneth Copenace; great-grandchildren, Jeremiah and Tavian Penagin,Waapsaybinehshek Penagin, Chaylize and John Bouchard, and Madison, Miah, Justice, Romyn, and Dante Copenace; and great-great-grandson, Nicholai Copenace.
He also is survived by three brothers, John Copenace, Norman (Denise) Copenace, and Patrick (Angela) Copenace, all of Onigaming First Nation, Ont.; sisters, Alice Arch, Gloria Green, and Dorothy Copenace, all of Onigaming First Nation, Ont., Betty (Francis) Kavanaugh of Whitefish Bay First Nation, Ont., and Madeline (Lenny) Parks of St. Louis, Mo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Gayle Copenace, in 1997; great-grandchild, Tanner Bouchard; brothers, Donald and Cecil Copenace; sister, Hazel Copenace; sister-in-law, Evelyn Copenace; and brothers-in-law, Harry Arch and Ron Seymour.
A traditional funeral service will be held Saturday, March 13, 2010 in the morning at the Onigaming First Nation gymnasium. Elder John Lathlin will officiate, with interment in Onigaming First Nation Cemetery.
A funeral wake will be held on Friday evening, March 12, 2010 at the Onigaming First Nation gymnasium.
The pallbearers will be Gerald Arch, Donald Copenace, Curtis Lee Copenace, Dennis Copenace Kenneth Copenace, and Ron Seymour Jr.
The honourary pallbearers will be Justice Copenace, Romyn Copenace, Dennis Copenace Jr., Francis Kavanaugh, Delford Bob, and Robert Bob.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 501-200 South Syndicate Ave., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7E 1C9 or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
