Elmer Joseph Mainville Sr.

It is with great sadness that the family of Elmer Joseph Mainville announces his peaceful passing on March 24, 2017 at Riverside Healthcare

Facilities with his loving family at his side.

Elmer was born December 10, 1930 in Pine Falls Manitoba to the late Frederick and Clara (nee Guimond) Mainville. He attended St Marguerite’s

Indian Residential School in Fort Frances, Ontario; then he later served with the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada in the Korean War.

On June 14, 1956 Elmer married the love of his life, the beautiful Bessie Burns. Together they raised their 9 children on Couchiching First Nation.

Elmer was a family man who also had a strong work ethic, which began with his employment at the CNR. Elmer went on to spend the majority of his

career as a Forest Fire Fighter with the MNR where he made lasting friendships with some great people who gave him the name “Hooya”

After retirement Elmer was Ordained to the Diaconate of the Diocese of Thunder Bay and where he served at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish on Couchiching First Nation. As a Deacon, he had performed numerous weddings, baptisms, funerals, and blessings in our local communities. His years of hard work and dedication to Our Lady of Lourdes was recognized by the community in 2016 through naming the church hall "the Deacon Elmer Mainville Hall"

Throughout his life Elmer enjoyed hunting, trapping, fishing, camping and harvesting wild rice; his children are forever grateful that he included us in these activities. In his later years, Elmer and Bessie ‘liked to live a little,’ as Bessie shopped in Walmart and Elmer patiently waited in the parking lot. Elmer also loved their time together on the powwow trail. Elmer took great comfort in the sound of the drum and singers. He was honoured as a Korean War Veteran and would often be the Canadian Flag Bearer at the Grand Entry of many powwows all over Northwestern Ontario and Northern Minnesota.

Elmer enjoyed life and no matter what was going on around him he always managed to maintain his sense of humor. He had a strong sense of faith and love

for family that got them through hard times.

He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Theresa Mainville,sons, John “Ritchie” Mainville, Maurice Burns, and Nick Mainville Sr. and

great-grandchildren Hayden Mainville-Tuesday, and Jaylyn Mainville. As well as,his father Fred and mother Clara; and siblings Walter, Dolores, Armalene and Madeline and brother in-law Tom Burns;.

He leaves behind Bessie Mainville, his loving Wife of 60 years. Children, Anita (Norman) Copenace of Onegaming FN, Gloria Manitowabi of DeWitt Michigan, Tony Mainville, Elmer Mainville Jr., Donna Mainville and daughter in law Betty Mainville all of Couchiching FN. Also surviving are 27 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren and 1 on the way. as well as, his brother Doug (Bonnie)Mainville of Palmyra, New York, and sister Sandy Mainville of International Falls MN. Elmer is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who also adored him.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Mike Copenace, Calvin Manitowabi Jr.,Wally Mainville, Ritchie Mainville, Bill Mainville, Dax Kasper, Aaron Mills, and great-grandson Kyle Copenace.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the Forest Fire Fighters he worked with; Dave Chepil, Stu Bruce, Bob Dakin, Terry Curran, Larry Brant, Dave Wickstrom, Jim Moorly, Bob Macdonald and Arlan Hahkala to name just a few.

A wake will begin on Tuesday, March 28 with prayers at 7:00 pm conducted by Gilbert Smith at the Couchiching Multi-Use Facility. The funeral mass will be Wednesday, March 29 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church at 11:00 am

The family of Elmer Mainville would like to thank Dr. Algie, the many nurses and healthcare professionals at Riverside Healthcare Facilities who

helped care for Elmer and made his time as comfortable and peaceful as possible.