JOHN BOSHEY Sr.

It is with sadness we announce the passing of John Boshey Sr., 94, of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont., who passed away Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre in Thunder Bay, Ont.
John was born Feb. 2, 1912 in Lake Vermilion Reserve, Mn. He moved to Canada when he was very young and settled with his family at Lac La Croix. Throughout the years, he was a hard-working fisherman, trapper, and guide.
Early in his life, he married Beatrice Redsky and raised a son and a daughter. Beatrice predeceased John sometime after.
In March, 1946, John remarried Elizabeth Caribou.
He lived the traditional life, and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and insisted on trying to take care of them.
John was a chief for 17 years. He was the last traditional chief of Lac La Croix First Nation as a leader of his community from 1960-77.
For many years, the community had no hydro due to its isolation. With his leadership, the community was connected to Minnesota Hydro to provide them electricity.
The schools also limited education for children from Grades 1-4. Those reaching Grade 5 had to leave the community and moving to the residential schools. Due to restrictive environment, many children left.
John Boshey Sr. also was instrumental in negotiating and building an elementary and high school at Lac La Croix First Nation during his leadership. With this, the schools opened the opportunity for local children to receive education from kindergarten to Grade 12.
He was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Josephine Boshey; wife, Elizabeth Boshey; two daughters, Alice and Nancy Boshey; one son, Alfred Boshey; three step-sons, Sam, Bob, and Bill Atatise; two brothers, Harry and Richard Boshey; and one sister, Elizabeth Labott.
He is survived by his children, John Boshey and wife, Lillian, Eddy Atatise and wife, Josephine, Jimmy Atatise and wife, Nora, Justin Boshey and wife, Sandra, Alma and husband, Edward Ottertail, and Janice and husband, Angus Jourdain Sr., all of Lac La Croix First Nation, Ont.; as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and some great-great-grandchildren.
He also is survived by one brother, Ray Boshey and his wife of Lake Vermilion Reserve, Mn.; andnumerous nieces and nephews.
A traditional funeral service will be held Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006 in the morning at the family residence in Lac La Croix First Nation. Interment will take place in the family plot in Lac La Croix First Nation Cemetery.
A wake will be held on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006 at the family residence in Lac La Croix First Nation.
The pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Honourary pallbearers will be his best friends.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Canadian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8, the Canadian Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 655, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M9, or the charity of your choice c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.