David Parenteau

David died suddenly on December 20, 2009. He will be sorely missed, but we are grateful for the years we spent together.
He is survived by Loretta, his wife of 39 years, his son Steven (Cheryl), his daughter Teressa (Jason) and grandchildren Megan and Hunter. David also accepted many other children into his life throughout his years. David is also survived by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.
David was predeceased by his parents John and Nancy Parenteau, his daughter Joanne Parenteau, his sisters Margaret Meawasige and Mary Rose Shabaquay, Jenny Gardner and his brother Japene.
In life David enjoyed and loved many things, his family always being number one – fishing, hunting and trapping was a big part of David’s life. He was also able to spend many hours with his family and friends while doing something he loved. He used to guide at many of the popular tourist camps, passing his knowledge onto others who were willing to learn. In his earlier years he loved playing hockey and baseball, which was right up David’s alley as he loved to socialize.  He later took up darts, crib and gambling.
A special thank you to Dr. Cortens for all the special care he provided through the years – as he was not only his doctor, but also a friend who was able to share in David’s passion for fishing and hunting.
We would like to thank his pallbearers, Ron and Brian Williams, Willie, Sonny and Michael Parenteau and Felix Cutfeet. We are also grateful to everyone else who was there to support the family in every way. Also to Arnold Gardner (Native Elder) and Father Al Campeau for officiating the service.
David will be remembered and sadly missed by many.

A thousand times we
needed you
A thousand times we cried
If love alone could have saved you
You never would have died
A heart of gold stopped beating
Two twinkling eyes closed to rest
God broke our hearts to prove he only took the best

Donna Gale Desautels

In loving memory of Donna Gale Desautels, age 54 of Dryden, who passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at the Dryden Regional Health Centre.
Donna had many loves in her life after her family and friends, baseball, soccer and the outdoors. She also loved her animals; horses, frogs and of course her dogs. Donna never did things halfway like her job at the hospital for the past 10 years. If a job had to be done it was done only to the standards that she could be proud of. This was in every aspect of her life, work or play.
She is greatly loved and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of having her touch their lives.
Donna is survived by her husband Marcel; son Christopher; daughter Marcie; her Mother Alma; sisters, Sharon (Bob) Young of Sioux Lookout, Leona Manchulenko, and Cathy Polny of Dryden; brothers, Lloyd, Ivan (Lynda) of Sioux Lookout, Larry of Mission, BC and Keith (Kathy) of Abbotsford BC; in-laws, Linda (Bill) Scott Jr. of Keewatin, Norman (Laurie), Gerry (Claudette), Donald (Margaret), Richard (Inga) and Pat Rathwell and Sophie (Roger) all of Dryden.
She was predeceased by her father Julius in 1993 and her brother Kenneth in 1951.
Visitation was held Monday, December 7th, 2009 from 6-8 p.m. with prayers at 7 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home.
Funeral  services were held on Tuesday, December 8,  2009 at 10:00 a.m.  at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, with Father Al Campeau officiating.
Interment to follow at a later date.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to Share the Challenge St. Joe’s through the Dryden Community Funeral Home 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.

It is with great sadness that the announcement be made that Tony Olynik of Dinorwic, age 76 years, passed away on January 1, 2010.
Tony was predeceased by his daughter Christine Burns in March 2009.
He is survived by his son Richard Olynik of Dryden; daughter Kathy (Ben) Parenteau of Dryden; granddaughters Cassandra and Latesha Parenteau of Dryden and Ashley Burns of Ear Falls.
Tony lived in Dinorwic for years, as he traveled back and forth while working at Mattabi Mines for over 20 years as a heavy equipment operator and then eventually retired.
Tony loved being busy. He would be found outside tinkering around with motors, whether it was a car or a lawnmower. He was always trying to  figure out what he could build next with his inventive mind. He also loved making homemade sausage and anything that he could put into his smoker. During the summer months, Tony loved picking  blueberries and would do that in any type of weather except rain. He would drive miles and miles to pick berries and during that journey, he would find good spots that he would remember to get wood from later on that year. Inside his house, Tony could be found making batches of wine, pickles, pickled eggs and anything else he thought would taste good in a jar with spices.
Tony enjoyed his granddaughters. When they were little, he would teach them his greatest gift which was how to play the pots and pans with silverware to Ukrainian music. He watched his grandchildren  grow and was always able to make them laugh. Making people around him laugh was something that Tony always made happen. The many friends that came to his house always left with a belly full of food and a sore side from laughing. Even in the hospital he was able to keep the nurses on their toes with the jokes which he loved to tell. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.
A service to celebrate the great 76 years of  Tony’s life was held on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at the Dryden Community Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Dryden Regional Health Centre CT Scan through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden P8N 2X3.

Jason Grant Finch

Jason Grant Finch (Jay), at the age of 37, has suddenly departed his earthly residence (Polar Star Lodge) on Wabigoon Lake for a new home within the Heavens, on Friday, January 1, 2010.
Jay was born on October 1, 1972 to proud parents Gail (Alexandriuk) and Grant Finch at the Dryden Hospital. He grew up in the Northwestern Ontario spending all his weekends and holidays at his grandparents’ resort, Polar Star Lodge, located on the shores of Wabigoon Lake.
At the age of twelve Jason made the decision to move back to the resort to live with his father and stepmother Adele on a permanent basis. This was a big decision for Jason at that age as he had to share space with his new step-sister Jacqueline and stepbrother Percy (both from Dinorwic). Jason accepted the challenge and settled into his new relationships where he bonded with his new sister and brother with ease. Under the guidance of his grandfather “Ross the Boss” Finch, Jason quickly learned the tourist trade from the ground floor up.
Jason received his education in both Wabigoon and Dryden, ending with Dryden High School. After working various jobs he finally made the decision to team up with his father in the running of Polar Star Lodge. In most instances Jay could always be found at the resort’s famous covered docks where he took immense pride in his ability to manage the marina.
Jason is survived by his special friend Teressa of Wabigoon, mother Gail (Albisser) of Dryden, father Grant and stepmother Adele of Wabigoon, stepsister Jacqueline and stepbrother Percy of Dinorwic, along with many nieces and nephews across Canada.
At Jason’s request there will be no funeral service. Cremation has occurred and the interment of ashes will occur at a later date.
Should friends desire, donations can be made to the Dryden Hospital Cat Scan Fund through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, Ontario, P8N 2X3.

Eva Viires

Eva Viires passed away peacefully at the age of 53 on January 1, 2010.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Lionel Burnard; her parents Erik and Linda Viires in Montreal; her niece Jennifer, nephew Jonathan and brother-in-law Edwardo Valdessazo in Chile.
She was predeceased by her sister Nima and her favourite miniature horse – Scotty.
Eva was born and raised in Montreal. She achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy at the U of T in 1978. She was a woman of many talents who loved life and was always looking for adventure. She traveled and worked in many places around the world, including New Zealand, Scotland, Newfoundland, Vancouver and many Northern First Nation Communities, before meeting the love of her life in a little church in Dinorwic and settling down in Dyment.
Eva put herself into whatever she was doing, whether it was fighting for the rights of her clients and friends, raising chickens, building a farm, training and showing her horses, playing piano in church, skiing, fishing, partridge hunting or lending a helping hand or listening ear to a friend.
She loved the wilderness, being outdoors and especially being with her horses, Chester and Sadie, and the miniatures. She loved sharing her joy of horses with others. Many children have enjoyed petting and playing with the minis. She showed them at fairs, in parades, at the Senior Centre in Sioux Lookout, and even took her donkey, Blossom, to the Lutheran Church for the Easter service.
She loved to learn and try new things. Her energetic and positive spirit was truly inspirational. She was “quite a lady”! Eva will be lovingly missed by many.
Viewing for family and friends was held on Monday, January 4, 2010 and a celebration of her life was held on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Our Saviour Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Marguerite (Legault-Makuch) Kirkby passed away peacefully at the age of 81 on December 23, 2009, with her husband and family by her side.
She is survived by her husband Wilfred Kirkby, of Summerland, BC; her sons Richard Makuch of Dryden, Ontario; Gerard Makuch of Regina, Saskatchewan with daughter-in-law Christine and grandson Matthew; Douglas Makuch of Vancouver, BC, and daughter Lori Makuch of Calgary, Alberta with son-in-law Garry Gandza. She is also survived by her sister Theresa Hatch of Dryden, Ontario and her sisters-in-law Ilene and Donna of Prince George, BC, and Gertie of Wabigoon, Ontario.
She was sadly predeceased by her loving mother and father Dorian and Rose; loving brothers Albert, Lucien, Gerry, and Roland and sister Germaine.
Marguerite grew up on the prairies in the Gravelbourg area of south-western Saskatchewan. Her family homesteaded there and in the Makwa area before moving to Dryden, Ontario. With her second husband Wilfred, she later moved to Summerland, BC.
She would want to be remembered simply as a good woman who always had a place in her heart for the people around her. She will be dearly missed.
A memorial service was held on Monday, December 28, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #22, 14205  Rosedale Avenue, Summerland.  Interment to take place in Dryden, Ontario.
Memorial tributes may be made in Marguerite’s honour to the Canadian Alzheimer’s Society.
Condolences may be directed to the family through Summerland Funeral Home at www.
providencefuneralhomes.
com.
Providence Funeral Homes “Summerland’s Rosedale Chapel” 250-494-7752.