Passed away peacefully in his 93rd year surrounded by family on Monday May 26 at the Chapleau General Hospital.
Maurice is survived by his siblings Gordon Becker (Carmen), Cathy Gomm (Jim) and Trudy Hurst. He is predeceased by his mother, Gertrude Margaret Quinn Becker, his siblings Claude Becker, Stanley Becker, Myrna Anderson and his grandparents Eli and Beatrice Quinn and his aunt and uncle Grace and Joe Saylors.
The family has many fond memories of their earlier years spending time with Maurice at Grandpa Quinn’s in Biscotasing and some reunions in Chapleau and Biscotasing over the years. The family are members of the Temagami First Nation through their grandmother Cecine Whitebear Becker.
Maurice was born in Biscotasing, Ontario on November 12, 1931 to his mother Margaret Gertrude Quinn. He stayed with Grandpa Quinn until he was 18 in Bisco then moved to Chapleau where he lived with his aunt Grace and uncle Joe Saylors. He lived around the corner from Kathleen (Kitty/Nanny) and Charles Douglas (Tony) Cachagee who took him in as a border in their home on Cedar Street. He later moved to Fox Lake in the early 90’s with Kitty when the reserve was being developed and lived in the first house built at Kitty’s Pond. Maurice worked for the MTO his entire life in Chapleau as an operator and foreman. His adopted family accepted Maurice with open arms where he was like a brother to Bill and Doreen Cachagee and uncles to Kyle, Brett and Wade where he played a big role in teaching the boys the ways of the bush, hunting and fishing at the camp on Borden Lake.
When Tony passed away, he stayed in the house with Kitty where he was a lifelong companion and played a big part in supporting her in her golden years. Maurice had a great affection for his pets. His cat Timmy lived to 21 and he also had two Golden Retrievers, Wendy (named after Wendy Mezley!) and Bailey. The birds and foxes will miss him. He fed them year-round out his front door. Anybody that spent time with Maurice knew he had a heart of gold. He would do anything for anyone. He owned most vintages of Ford pickups from the 50’s-90’s. He was also very ingenious when it came to moving large heavy objects like the old camp that he relocated on his own with a bulldozer he got running with Bobby Evans. He also built a new camp on the lot on Borden Lake by himself in 1986. In the early 90’s he would return to Bisco for the summer with his dog Wendy, a camper trailer and boat where he spent time with his siblings.
Maurice will be forever missed by Doreen, Bill, Kyle, Brett, Wade Cachagee and their families. His stories will last forever in our hearts.
The family would like to thank all the staff at the Chapleau General Hospital for their excellent care and compassion during Maurice’s stay for two months. Maurice got the small-town hospital treatment that Chapleaulites have come to appreciate. The family will be forever grateful to all the staff who supported Maurice from Chapleau Cree FN from cleaners, snow plowing, dropping off newsletters, the Chapleau Express and for the band sponsored suppers, powwows and gatherings over decades. Fox Lake won’t be the same without Maurice. A very special and well deserved thank you goes out to his dear friend Donna Roy. All the support offered including house cleaning, dropping off coffees, partridge and walleye have not gone unnoticed by Maurice’s family.
There will be a celebration of life later this summer at Fox Lake. Maurice was cremated and his wish was to be placed between Kitty and Tony’s graves at the Chapleau Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Kerry Funeral Home, Wawa, 1-800-439-4937. www.kerryfuneralhome.ca.