Solomon HOULE

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HOULE: Solomon Houle passed away peacefully at the age of 85 years on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at the Portage General Hospital in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. He was born on Sandy Bay Reserve Manitoba to Monique Houle (nee Beaulieu), step-father, Frank Houle, and his birth father, William Whitford. Solomon lived most of his life on Sandy Bay Reserve. When he retired he moved to Brandon and lived there for 17 years. After symptoms of dementia set in, he moved to the Lions Prairie Manor in Portage where he has lived for the last 4 years. Solomon is predeceased by his wife, Gladys, (nee Mousseau), daughters, Doreen and Sonya, son, Clifford Chaboy, his mother, Monique Houle (nee Beaulieu), step-father Frank Houle, birth father, William Whitford, brothers, Norman Houle, Raymond Whitford, Joey Whitford, Jimmy Whitford, Edward Poncho Whitford, sister Nancy Maruschuk, grandchildren, Blaine Beaulieu, Tannis Jaye Roulette-Beaulieu, great grandson, Pierson William Racette, son-in-law, David Ferguson. He leaves to mourn his children, Robert (Paul), Vivian, Catherine (Ron), Marilyn, Sandra (Chief Joe Vine) Delores (Richard), Stella (Chief Norman), Alex (Marlene), Napoleon (Gloria), Francis (Carol), Roberta (Ed), Kimberly (Murray) and 43 grandchildren and 65 great grandchildren. He also leaves to mourn his brothers, Joseph Roulette, Chucky Whitford, Danny Popeye Whitford and sisters, Eleanor, Beatrice, Betty and Linda. He also leaves his special goddaughters, Leona Beaulieu and Fern Beaulieu, and best friend Emile Flett. Solomon was a very passionate man, living life to its fullest with love and humour. Each of his beautiful grandchildren were given a special nick name by grandpa shortly after they were born which made his grandkids faces turn red and make us all laugh. Solomon made his living fishing, hunting, and trapping. He was a proud entrepreneur and started a career of providing transportation to students, eventually leading to becoming a full time bus driver for the Sandy Bay Education Authority for 35 years. Solomon was officially recognized for his years of service by Sandy Bay Education Authority near his retirement. In his spare time, Solomon planted gardens, trees, fished, hunted, trapped and dug seneca root. He was an avid outdoorsman and engaged in a variety of activities. He loved watching TV which included favorite shows; the Price is Right, and Benny Hill, and Archie Bunker as well as the afternoon soap opera “Young and the Restless”. Solomon especially loved hockey which many of his grandsons, granddaughters and great grandchildren played. He loved watching each of them play and enjoyed visiting with friends and family during the Tribal Winter Days in Brandon. Solomon was extremely loving and proud of his daughters and sons. He loved going to their homes to spend time with them and his grandchildren. He travelled many times across Canada and enjoyed trips to the West Coast as he loved to be around the scenic mountains, which was home to family and relatives. The family wishes to acknowledge the Portage Manor for their care of Solomon during his final years. The family wishes to thank Dr. Macklem and the nurses at the Portage District General Hospital for their loving care and support to our father and our family during the last month of his life. We want to say a special thank you to all Sandy Bay First Nations programs, businesses, and the community members for all their kind donations. Funeral Service was held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Sandy Bay on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 2:00 pm. Cremation and Interment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations to be made in Solomon’s name to the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, 10 – 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg Manitoba R3C 4G2. Clarke’s Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements.www.clarkesfuneralhome.com

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 05, 2013