It is with great sadness that the family of Elmer Joseph Mainville announces his peaceful passing, with his loving family at his side, on Friday, March 24, 2017 at Riverside Health Care Facilities in Fort Frances, Ont.
Elmer was born Dec. 10, 1930 in Pine Falls, Man. to the late Frederick and Clara (nee Guimond) Mainville.
He attended St. Marguerite’s Indian Residential School in Fort Frances, then later served with the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada in the Korean War.
On June 14, 1956, Elmer married the love of his life, the beautiful Bessie Burns. Together, they raised their nine children on Couchiching First Nation.
Elmer was a family man who also had a strong work ethic, which began with his employment at the CNR.
Elmer went on to spend most of his career as a forest fire fighter with the MNR, where he made lasting friendships with some great people who gave him the name “Hooya.”
After retirement, Elmer was ordained to the Diaconate of the Diocese of Thunder Bay, serving at Our Lady of Lourdes parish at Couchiching First Nation.
As a deacon, he had performed numerous weddings, baptisms, funerals, and blessings in our local communities. His years of hard work and dedication to Our Lady of Lourdes was recognized by the community in 2016 through naming the church hall “the Deacon Elmer Mainville Hall.”
Throughout his life, Elmer enjoyed hunting, trapping, fishing, camping, and harvesting wild rice; his children are forever grateful that he included us in these activities.
In his later years, Elmer and Bessie “liked to live a little” as Bessie shopped in Walmart and Elmer patiently waited in the parking lot.
Elmer also loved their time together on the pow-wow trail. He took great comfort in the sound of the drum and singers. He was honoured as a Korean War veteran and often would be the Canadian flag bearer at the Grand Entry of many pow-wows all over Northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota.
Elmer enjoyed life and no matter what was going on around him, he always managed to maintain his sense of humour. He had a strong sense of faith and love for family that got them through hard times.
He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Theresa Mainville; sons, John “Ritchie” Mainville, Maurice Burns, and Nick Mainville Sr.; and great-grandchildren, Hayden Mainville-Tuesday and Jaylyn Mainville.
He also was predeceased by his father, Fred, and mother, Clara; siblings, Walter, Dolores, Armalene, and Madeline; and brother-in-law, Tom Burns.
He leaves behind Bessie Mainville, his loving wife of 60 years; children, Anita (Norman) Copenace of Onegaming FN, Gloria Manitowabi of DeWitt, Mich., and Tony Mainville, Elmer Mainville Jr., and Donna Mainville, and daughter-in-law, Betty Mainville, all of Couchiching FN.
Also surviving are 27 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren and one on the way; as well as his brother, Doug (Bonnie) Mainville of Palmyra, N.Y., and sister, Sandy Mainville of International Falls, Mn.
Elmer also is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who also adored him.
A wake will begin on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 with prayers at 7 p.m., conducted by Gilbert Smith, at the Couchiching multi-use facility.
The funeral mass will be held Wednesday, March 29 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Couchiching.
The pallbearers will be his grandsons, Mike Copenace, Calvin Manitowabi Jr., Wally Mainville, Ritchie Mainville, Bill Mainville, Dax Kasper, and Aaron Mills, and great-grandson, Kyle Copenace.
The honourary pallbearers will be the forest fire fighters he worked with, Dave Chepil, Stu Bruce, Bob Dakin, Terry Curran, Larry Brant, Dave Wickstrom, Jim Moorly, Bob Macdonald, and Arlan Hahkala to name just a few.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
ELMER JOSEPH MAINVILLE (Netamiigaabo, Awaazisii Clan)
