EDWIN NATHANIAL BRUYERE

Edwin Nathanial Bruyere, 75, of Five Mile Dock, Couchiching First Nations, Ont., passed away suddenly Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2000 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
He was born Aug. 26, 1924 in Fort Alexander, Man. and moved to Fort Frances as a young boy. He spent his school years at the Residential School on Couchiching until he started working as a young man.
On Sept. 9, 1944, he was united in marriage to Annie Marie Crowe, and settled down and made his home on Rainy Lake.
Edwin was employed by J.A. Mathieu Co. until its closing. He possessed a great knowledge of the water guiding for Peabody Coal Co. and other area camps on Rainy Lake. He also worked for Macnamara Construction on the Noden Causeway.
In 1966, Edwin took over management of Campfire Island (Peabody) which in 1971 became Brown Badgett Inc. He worked at the “Island” until his retirement at age 65.
Edwin had a great passion for the outdoors and spent all of his life enjoying what it had to offer. In the fall, he spent most of his time hunting with his sons, grandchildren, family, and friends, and was never without a story of each and every trip. His winters were spent snowmobiling on Rainy Lake, visiting the family and friends who lived there.
After his retirement, he liked to spend time at his cabin on the North Arm of Rainy Lake, which he appropriately named “North of 60.” Then in the spring, he could never wait for the ice to go out so he could get his boat in the water and prepare for his summer.
Everyone who knew Edwin knew of his love for country music and playing guitar. Many amateur musicians auditioned on Saturday nights at the Bruyere residence.
Edwin also had a great respect for nature and native culture. This could be seen in the numerous wildlife paintings and drawings he put forth throughout the years, the books he read, and the way be lived. He had a great love for animals, both wild and tame, and was never without a faithful companion.
Edwin held an extra special place in his heart for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He spent many hours telling stories, playing, fishing, working outside, and passing on much advice to them.
He loved to play hockey on the rink in front of his home, and spent many an evening at the arena watching his favourite sport played by his favourite players.
He was predeceased by his mother and father, Mary Ann and Louis Leopold Bruyere; brothers, Thomas, Adolphe, Theodore, and Michael Bruyere; and grandsons, Gavin Bruyere and Daniel Bruyere.
Edwin is survived by his wife, Annie Marie Bruyere (Crowe) of Couchiching First Nations; and children, Sandra Marie Mathews and husband, LeRoy, of White Bear Lake, Mn., Gloria Noel Bruyere of Thunder Bay, Ont., Edwin Clarence Bruyere and Karen Garon of Fort Frances, Ont., Richard Alfred Bruyere of Toronto, Ont., Theodore (Ted) Adolphe Bruyere and wife, Cynthia, of Fort Frances, Ont., and Lynn Dawn Jourdain and partner, Mary Waghorn, also of Fort Frances, Ont.
Also surviving are sisters, Emma Woods (Fort Frances, Ont.), Mariah Baak and husband, George, (Spruce Grove, Alta.), and Mildred Lockman and husband, Norman (Ignace, Ont.).
Edwin also is survived by his grandchildren, Andrea, Jennifer, Delaney, Irwin, Ryan, Cheyenne, Tanya, Shannon, Mara, Cynara, Tremayne, Jasmine, Cherish, Edwin III, Alex, Louis, Shaun, Johnna, Brett, Donna, Dennis, Armand, and Christine; 11 great-grandchildren; and special companions, Keno and Lucky.
A celebration of Edwin’s life was held at the Couchiching Bingo Palace on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000 at 2 p.m.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Diabetes Association.