VALENTINE RONALD PERRAULT

Valentine Ronald Perrault, 73, of Couchiching First Nation, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Oct. 1, 2010 at 106 Jourdain Cres.
Val was born Feb. 13, 1937 in Frog Creek to the late Gilbert and Florence Perrault.
Val also was known as “Big John” and by the song, “Act Naturally” (“They’re gonna put me in the movies, they’re gonna make a big star out of me”).
He was a lifelong resident of Couchiching First Nation. He began working as a guide at the young age of 15, working at various tourist camps throughout Minnesota and Ontario. He was a quick draw at filleting fish.
In his early days, he worked at Mando during the day and then would work nights for Bodine McCarthy in International Falls, Mn. He also worked in the bush camps around the area, where he met the love of his life, Eleanor.
He also worked at Nanicost Ltd. for a number of years.
Val enjoyed hunting and fish with his boys, and he rarely missed a day of riding his bike around the reserve. He always had a smile on his face when he was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He made a lot of friends throughout his lifetime and will be forever missed by all.
He was united in marriage to Eleanor Natawence on Dec. 26, 1968.
 He leaves behind to mourn his wife of 46 years, Eleanor; children, Gennine (Ian), Elton (Judy), Roxane, Blaine (Dianne), Candace, and Valentine Jr. (Candace); brothers, Gilbert (Colleen) and Robert (Cathy); and sisters, Romona (Irvin), Diane, and Barbara (Dempsey).
Also surviving are his grandchildren, Todd, Katie, Ben, Tiffany, Alex, Cassidy, Logan, Hilary, Heather, Shelby, Michael, April, Charley, Vince, Lexi, Kyle, Dax, Crystal, John, Dyane, Fawn, Taylor, Chantal, and Shayana; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, although he considered all children his grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents; daughter, Pamela Dee Perrault; son, Shayne Quentin Perrault; a baby at birth; sisters, Patricia Grover and Elaine Jourdain; brother, Vernon Perrault; mother-in-law, Helen Shepard; brother-in-law, Joe Natawence; and sisters-in-law, Florence Ness and Elsie Murray.
A traditional wake was held Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010 starting at 5 p.m. at the multi-use facility on Couchiching First Nation.
A funeral mass was held Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Couchiching, with Fr. Francis Pudicherry officiating.
Interment took place in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Marvin Fering, John Perrault/Kyle Kasper, Kerry Morrisseau, Doug Horton Sr., Dax Kasper, Ashley King, Rob Adams, and Chaz Perrault.
The honourary pallbearers were Vic Davis, Ted Davis, Steve Mainville Sr., Louis Mainville, Richard Morrison, Dwayne Morrison, Louie Jourdain, Terry Adams, Kelvin Jourdain, Sheldon Perrault, Clint Perrault, and Jason Perrault.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com