Wally Meeches

Wally Meeches

October 16, 1932 ~May 21, 2012

In the early evening of May 21, 2012, our Dad, Grandpa,Great Grandpa, Brother and Uncle crossed over to the spirit world. He fought so hard to stay with his lovingfamily and continuously requested to see his nephew Curty "Chonch" Meeches.

Wally is survived by his loving children, daughter Donna(Dennis), and sons Garry (Doris), and Michael Prince, grandchildren Mike(Heather), Michelle (Bruce), Regina (Ernie), Pennie (Terry), Edmund, Nikki(Renee), Buddy (Rachael), great grandchildren Carson Chubb-Meeches, Nehson"Sino" White, Breezie Meeches, Jordie Meeches, Sierra Meeches, Shelbie Meeches,Lindy Spence, Leah Spence, Serone Meeches, Hunter Cameron, KenyanCameron-Mousseau, Shylar Cameron, and Evander Mousseau. He is also survived byhis brother Raymond (Leona), adopted brother John Taylor, sisters Lena (Cecil),Delores, Phyllis (Les) and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was predeceased by his parents Ben andJean Meeches, brothers George and Marvin Meeches and sisters Gladys and DorothyMeeches.

Wally was born on October 16, 1932 and raised on Long PlainReserve. He spent most of his lifethere other than the years spent at residential school. He survived those yearsat residential school away from his family but this had a great impact on hislife in the later years to come.

In his family's eyes, Wally was a man of great honor and waswell respected. Throughout the years hehelped many families during their times of sorrow and he would be the one tostay up all night at the wakes a�" a way and tradition of our Ojibway people.

He loved to joke around and brought a smile or chuckle toeveryone who met him. The Dr.'s andnurses of PDGH also came to know Wally well and even during his last days, healways brought a smile to their faces. A special thanks to Dr. Quesada, nursesMicheline, Lindsay, and Alana on the surgical ward, Aboriginal support workerNorma Goulet, Health care aid Eunice Assiniboine at Long Plain Health Centre,and Long Plain councilor Barb Esau for all their caring and support. A very, very special thank-you to greatgrandson "Sonny" Louis Merrick Jr. who was there every day taking care of himand playing the North Eagle songs for him. Thanks also to his only daughterDonna, sister Phyllis and Delores, Jane, Rita (nieces) and grandson Kelly Jr.who continuously visited Wally while he was in the hospital.

In his younger years he helped his dad along with hisbrother Raymond to keep the family farm going annually by seeding, planting andharvesting crop. They grew many variousvegetables and cared for their horses and chickens. He was also given the special gift of being a "Water Diviner"years ago when the community and people used water wells.

Wally was well known for giving all his family membersnicknames. Many of his grandchildren,nieces and nephews carry these nicknames today. He was an avid sports fan and loved watching hockey games and healso loved playing cards especially crib.

The family would like to share some of his favorite sayings:family members would say to him "I love you" and he always responded "I loveyou too for the rest of my life", and he would always say "don't tell anyone"(even the Dr.'s and nurses). But todayDad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle we're gonna tell everyone " You are the mostcourageous of them all, you had the strongest will to live and you showed allof us that you had the strongest heartbeat ever, like the strong beat of thedrum, the drum our boys are going to beat for you. You wanted to go home, and you've gone home at last to join theothers. You will be ever so greatlymissed by each and every one of us.Till we meet again, we will always love you for the rest of our lives!

A wake will be held at the Long Plain Spirit Lodge on Thursday,May 24, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. Traditionalfuneral service will be held on Friday, May 25, 2012 beginning at 12:00 noonalso at the Long Plain Spirit Lodge. Interment will follow at the Dauphin MyranCemetery, Long Plain.

McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com