Obituary for John "Toke" Adolphus Cooper
In Loving Memory of
John Adolphus “TOKE” Nowquaikezhikgoquai Cooper.
Mukwa Dodem and spirit helper Miiangun
Born in Kaboni, Wikwemikong on March 27th, 1950 (sunrise)
Adolphus died suddenly at Health Sciences North, Sudbury on July 29th, 2020 (sunset).
Survived by his wife Shirley Pitawanakwat. Loving son of Olivina Cooper (predeceased) and special son of Johnny Enosse (predeceased). Predeceased by beloved grandparents Mary Elizabeth Wabange-Eshkibag (Mchigeeng) and John Wagosh (Kaboni). Loving son of Frank Nowquaikezhikgoquai (Cooper). Predeceased by beloved grandparents Elizabeth Douglas (Sheguindah) and John Nowquaikezhikgoquai (Buzwah). Loving father of Daniel, Scott (Donna), Angela (Sebastian), and Sandra (Christopher). Nova Leigh, Francis and Ethan Cooper. Roseanne Shigwadja, Craig Lecuyer, and Natasha Cooper. Brother to Lloyd (predeceased) (Judy T./ Judy A.), Wilfred (Marjorie/Jennifer), Theresa (Henry), Joseph (Elsie), Loretta, Timothy (Elizabeth/Bernadette), Juanita, Roger (Rachel), and Rachel (Douglas); Valerie Enosse & Daphne (Micheal) Eshkawkgogan, and Stewart (predeceased). Loving grandfather to, Harley and Alicia Bebonang (Mchigeeng). Brittany, Danielle, Seth and Serenity Manitowabi; Christopher Osawabine & Macy Manitowabi (Daniel), Nimkii Osawamick & Autumn Cooper (Scott) Jules, Malachi & Lily Shawanda & Sylvester Manitowabi (Angela) Kristen and Lance Gaiashk (Roseanne), Cassidy Shawana; Taylor & Grant Trudeau; Rowen and Freya Lecuyer; Alexei Pelletier (Craig), Grayson & Ella Rose Francis (Natasha/Nathan). He was blessed with six beautiful great-grand children. Will be dearly missed by his family, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Adolphus was born and raised in Kaboni by his grandparents, he later went to high school in Espanola, Ontario. He worked as a Mill Worker in Chapleau, Ontario for most of his life. He also worked independently doing engine mechanics, small engine repairs, carpentry, wood working and carving. He was also a detailed artisan of traditional crafts. Adolphus was an outdoors man and lived honouring Shkagamik-Kwe. He was a survivalist and naturalist, he loved to be on the land whether it be trapping, hunting, harvesting, gardening and or camping. In his final years, he spent much time at his camp and birthplace in Kaboni where he found his peace in fond memories spent with his family. Adolphus’ true gift was helping others using traditional healing and medicines. He instilled the traditional ways that he learned from his grandparents, and he was one of our community’s most fluent speakers. His first language was Anishinabemowin. Adolphus also had a gift in language, he spoke with eloquence when teaching the knowledge that was passed down to him. He was philosophical and an avid writer, he wrote down many of his thoughts and he was also a poet. He loved to meet people and had many friends over the years of his life, and he always made time to acknowledge those that he encountered. He never left without a good-bye, and he always ended a conversation in a good way. He loved all his family dearly, especially his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. He gave himself freely and never left without telling them how much he loved them. Adolphus was strong-willed and had much pride in being Anishinaabe and he will always carry the O’gitchitaa spirit within him.
Funeral Mass at St. Anthony Daniel Parish, Kaboni Road, Wikwemikong on Friday, August 7th, 2020 at 11:00 am. Immediate family may gather between 1-5 pm on Thursday and relatives and friends may gather after 5:00 pm Thursday. Burial in the at Wiikwemkoonsing Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the Jackson & Barnard Funeral Home.
“Living Solo”
I lived solo to be in solidarity with myself finding who I am and how I view the world.
You could be lonely as ever as you want to be, but life itself is everything!
Believing in life and all creation, I have learned the basic values in life:
love, compassion, respect, forgiveness, and justice.
When I live with these values daily, I think this is how I bond with people I met.
If I live, love, and live in love I am experiencing and expressing humanity and peace in my life.
There are times I reflect on the trails of my life having to live in a world with
the hatred some place on me, little do they know.
- “Toke”
Year 2019
John Adolphus “TOKE” Nowquaikezhikgoquai Cooper.
Mukwa Dodem and spirit helper Miiangun
Born in Kaboni, Wikwemikong on March 27th, 1950 (sunrise)
Adolphus died suddenly at Health Sciences North, Sudbury on July 29th, 2020 (sunset).
Survived by his wife Shirley Pitawanakwat. Loving son of Olivina Cooper (predeceased) and special son of Johnny Enosse (predeceased). Predeceased by beloved grandparents Mary Elizabeth Wabange-Eshkibag (Mchigeeng) and John Wagosh (Kaboni). Loving son of Frank Nowquaikezhikgoquai (Cooper). Predeceased by beloved grandparents Elizabeth Douglas (Sheguindah) and John Nowquaikezhikgoquai (Buzwah). Loving father of Daniel, Scott (Donna), Angela (Sebastian), and Sandra (Christopher). Nova Leigh, Francis and Ethan Cooper. Roseanne Shigwadja, Craig Lecuyer, and Natasha Cooper. Brother to Lloyd (predeceased) (Judy T./ Judy A.), Wilfred (Marjorie/Jennifer), Theresa (Henry), Joseph (Elsie), Loretta, Timothy (Elizabeth/Bernadette), Juanita, Roger (Rachel), and Rachel (Douglas); Valerie Enosse & Daphne (Micheal) Eshkawkgogan, and Stewart (predeceased). Loving grandfather to, Harley and Alicia Bebonang (Mchigeeng). Brittany, Danielle, Seth and Serenity Manitowabi; Christopher Osawabine & Macy Manitowabi (Daniel), Nimkii Osawamick & Autumn Cooper (Scott) Jules, Malachi & Lily Shawanda & Sylvester Manitowabi (Angela) Kristen and Lance Gaiashk (Roseanne), Cassidy Shawana; Taylor & Grant Trudeau; Rowen and Freya Lecuyer; Alexei Pelletier (Craig), Grayson & Ella Rose Francis (Natasha/Nathan). He was blessed with six beautiful great-grand children. Will be dearly missed by his family, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Adolphus was born and raised in Kaboni by his grandparents, he later went to high school in Espanola, Ontario. He worked as a Mill Worker in Chapleau, Ontario for most of his life. He also worked independently doing engine mechanics, small engine repairs, carpentry, wood working and carving. He was also a detailed artisan of traditional crafts. Adolphus was an outdoors man and lived honouring Shkagamik-Kwe. He was a survivalist and naturalist, he loved to be on the land whether it be trapping, hunting, harvesting, gardening and or camping. In his final years, he spent much time at his camp and birthplace in Kaboni where he found his peace in fond memories spent with his family. Adolphus’ true gift was helping others using traditional healing and medicines. He instilled the traditional ways that he learned from his grandparents, and he was one of our community’s most fluent speakers. His first language was Anishinabemowin. Adolphus also had a gift in language, he spoke with eloquence when teaching the knowledge that was passed down to him. He was philosophical and an avid writer, he wrote down many of his thoughts and he was also a poet. He loved to meet people and had many friends over the years of his life, and he always made time to acknowledge those that he encountered. He never left without a good-bye, and he always ended a conversation in a good way. He loved all his family dearly, especially his children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. He gave himself freely and never left without telling them how much he loved them. Adolphus was strong-willed and had much pride in being Anishinaabe and he will always carry the O’gitchitaa spirit within him.
Funeral Mass at St. Anthony Daniel Parish, Kaboni Road, Wikwemikong on Friday, August 7th, 2020 at 11:00 am. Immediate family may gather between 1-5 pm on Thursday and relatives and friends may gather after 5:00 pm Thursday. Burial in the at Wiikwemkoonsing Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the Jackson & Barnard Funeral Home.
“Living Solo”
I lived solo to be in solidarity with myself finding who I am and how I view the world.
You could be lonely as ever as you want to be, but life itself is everything!
Believing in life and all creation, I have learned the basic values in life:
love, compassion, respect, forgiveness, and justice.
When I live with these values daily, I think this is how I bond with people I met.
If I live, love, and live in love I am experiencing and expressing humanity and peace in my life.
There are times I reflect on the trails of my life having to live in a world with
the hatred some place on me, little do they know.
- “Toke”
Year 2019