John Leslie Cochrane (Shaapokiigaabo)

John Leslie Cochrane (Shaapokiigaabo), passed away on Friday, October 26, 2012 at Rainy Lake, Ontario.

John was born on November 29, 1968 in Atikokan, Ontario to Allan Henderson and Lorna Cochrane.

In his early years, John lived a simple life on the lake and land. John moved with his family to Winnipeg where he made lifelong friends; as a teenager he moved back home to Mitaanjigamiing First Nation. In 1990, John met his best friend Darlene, a woman who works as hard as he did, together they enjoyed a traditional outdoor lifestyle; fishing, hunting, setting snares and rice picking. John and Darlene raised their children, Dawn, Thomas, and Jacob; later Scott Smith joined his family as his “son”. John’s greatest pride and joy was his grandson, Robert Taylor Smith, spending hours playing with him.

John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and hanging out with “the bro’s.” John was always there to help whenever anyone needed him. He loved all children, his eyes lit up when he spent time with them. All of his nieces, nephews and cousins filled his heart with happiness and love.

He was predeceased by his father, Allan Henderson; two brothers, Brennan Cochrane and Alfred Henderson; paternal grandparents, Alfred and Madeline Henderson; maternal grandmother, Elsie Cupp; maternal grandfather, Hank Linklater; and father-in-law, Howard Willie.

John is survived by his mother, Lorna Cochrane; his wife Darlene Whitecrow, and their daughter, Dawn Whitecrow, and sons, Thomas Whitecrow and Jacob Cochrane, son-in-law Scott Smith, and grandson, Robert Smith, all of Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, Ontario.

He is also survived by his brothers and sisters, Stewart Henderson, James Henderson, Janice Henderson (Edwin), Allan Henderson Jr., Marie Anderson, Alana Fyfe, Joseph Cochrane, Derrick Cochrane, Beverley Cochrane (Desmond), Alex Cochrane (Eve), and Brenda Ducharme(Pierre); his step-mother, Edna Morrison; and step-siblings, Deborah Morrison, Roy Morrison (Bev), Edward Morrison (Naomi) and Bill Morrison; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

A wake will be held Wednesday, October 31, 2012 from 4 p.m. at the Mitaanjigamiing First Nation Fitness Centre.

A traditional service will be held Thursday, November 1, 2012 in the morning at the Mitaanjigamiing First Nation Centre with Elder Joe Morrison officiating.

A traditional burial ceremony will follow in Mitaanjigamiing First Nation Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be: Jeff Adams, Brian Cochrane Jr, Justin Handorgan, Mike Henderson, Edwin Natawance, Ed Morrison, Bill Wayash Jr, Ringo Whitecrow and Shane Whitecrow.

Honourary pallbearers will be: Casey Adams, Tom Brassoy, Pierre Ducharme, Stuart Hettinga, Desmond Jourdain, Scott Smith, Robert “Chug” Yerxa, Sheldon Whitecrow and the rest of his friends.

Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, the Canadian Diabetes Association or to the charity of your own choice, c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, ON., P9A 3M8.

Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com.