ALBERT THOMAS MORRISSEAU (NIINGAABNOGEZIK) (Sturgeon Clan)

Albert Thomas Morrisseau, 86, of Couchiching First Nation, Ont., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011 at Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. with his family by his side.
Albert was born Dec. 14, 1924 on Haymarsh Bay, Rainy Lake, Ont. to Alfred and Margaret Morrisseau. He lived at Couchiching First Nation all of his life, with the exception of the last few months when he moved to Rainycrest.
Bert, as everyone knew him, spent countless hours at his cabin on Haymarsh Bay. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Bert also was a trapper and every fall harvested his furs on his trapline at Ami Point. He won many awards from the Ontario Fur Managers for his skill at skinning and trapping furs.
He was proud to hand this skill down to his children.
Bert also loved to spend time with his 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren. He was an elder role model and teacher to all who had the opportunity to know him.
His love of the land was evident in his ability to be at one with nature and all of the Creator’s creatures. Yet he also was a proud member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, where he dedicated every Sunday morning to the importance of worship and prayer.
In every sense of the word, he was not only a man who prided himself in his faith but a man who lived it on a daily basis.
On June 23, 1946, Albert married the love of his life, Cecile Godin. His greatest love was for the family they raised together.
He was employed in the sawmill operations of J.A. Mathieu and later Faragher Lumber, where he worked in the planer.
Albert is survived by his children, Priscilla (George) Simard, Valerie (Laurie) Norris, Calvin (Mona-Rose) Morrisseau, Roberta (Dennis) Bruyere, Arlene Tucker, Alvin Morrisseau, Micheal Morrisseau, and Leslie Morrisseau (Dorothy Jordan), all of Couchiching First Nation.
Also surviving Albert are his brothers-in-law, Maurice and Robert (Bobby) Godin; sisters-in-law, Melvina and Louise Morrisseau; plus his 21 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
Albert was predeceased by his wife, Cecile; mother, Margaret; father, Alfred; daughter, Lisa and son, Wayne; brothers, Daniel, Emil, Harry, Roderick and Anthony; and sister, Marjorie.
A wake and visitation was held Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 from 4 p.m. at the Couchiching First Nation multi-use facility.
Funeral mass was held Monday, Oct. 17, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church at Couchiching First Nation.
Fr. Francis Pudicherry officiated, with interment in the Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery.
The pallbearers were his grandsons, Dylan Simard, Daniel Morrisseau, Jason Morrisseau, Calvin Morrisseau Jr., Tyson-Skylar Morrisseau, Steve Tucker, and Nick Hunter.
The honourary pallbearers were Harlan Faragher, Ken Faragher, Joyce Bruyere, Jennifer Yerxa, and Lorne Morrisseau.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. Dialysis Unit, 110 Victoria Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 2B7 or Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Couchiching First Nation.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com