Buddy Paul Cyr passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital in Thunder Bay, Ont.
He was born in Naicatchewenin First Nation on Nov. 28, 1938 to Roderick Cyr and Lucy (Smith) Cyr.
He lived his life to the fullest, and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends from near and far. He had a special place in his heart for all who knew him.
Buddy worked at various places in the district in his younger years, including for Vernon Armstrong Ltd. at the sawmill, for the MNR as a firefighter, at Northern Lights Camp, and logging for Marlin and Gerald Carr.
In his younger years, Buddy was active in sports, which included ice skating, hockey, baseball, fishing, and camping.
He attended school in the community of Northwest Bay. He enjoyed taking part in community events as a respected elder.
Buddy had a passion of nature. He also loved meeting new people and visited everyone he met. He loved going out for coffee at the Mekong Restaurant.
All the children loved him dearly and called him Uncle Bud or Grandpa. He truly will be missed.
Buddy is survived by his sisters, Mabel Cyr of Naicatchewenin, her daughter, Pamela Bombay (Ken), and her children, Shane, Jonah, and Christian Cyr, Deanna Cyr (Ted) and son, Thearon, and Christine Cyr (Scot) and daughter, Amara; and Mary Jourdain (Ray) of Couchiching, her daughter, Carolyn Jourdain, her sons, Gary Jourdain and Brad Jourdain (Rhonda), and his children, Dawson, Mikayla, and Lily Jourdain; his brothers, Norman Cyr of Naicatchewenin First Nation and Wilfred Cyr (Dorothy) of Pendleton, Ore., and their sons, Charles and Shane Woods (Tessa) and Wilfred Cyr Jr.; and special cousins, Mary Irene Smith and Delia (Gilbert) Smith.
Buddy had a special place in his heart for Colleen Smith, her children, and grandchildren; Sharon Smith, her children, and grandchildren; Janice Smith, her children, and grandson; Gloria Smith and her sons; and Pamela Bombay, her children, and grandchildren.
Buddy took these “girls” as his own and he always made sure they were happy.
Buddy was predeceased by his father, Roderick (Feb. 26, 2007) and mother, Lucy (June 12, 2007); niece, Jacqueline (Cyr) Nelson (Feb. 25, 2004); Margaret, Ethel, Louis, and Rosie Cyr; and numerous uncles and cousins too many to be named.
Visitation was held Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 from 7-9 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ont. and again Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015 from 9-11 a.m. at the Naicatchewenin First Nation gymnasium.
Funeral services followed.
The pallbearers were Ted Green, Terry Smith, Adrian Snowball, Trevor Smith, Curtis Smith, Ray Smith, Jarrett Smith, and Wayne Smith.
The honourary pallbearers were Fred Major, Christian Cyr, Jonah Cyr, Michael Smith, Shane Cyr, Tommy Smith, Fred Smith, Clarence Malcolm, and his close friends and family.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com