Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is with some sadness and appreciation that I rise to report that this past Saturday a well-known and colourful Weledeh constituent “Stan the Man” Larocque passed away peacefully with his family by his side at the Stanton Territorial Hospital.

Mr. Larocque was 94 years old and was known as a real northern character. He made his way north in the late ‘30s when Yellowknife was just beginning as a gold mining town. He worked on the early cat trains, hauling freight across Great Slave on sledges pulled by a bulldozer. Known for his good sense of humour, you could often hear Stan claim to have “never had a flat” in 40 years of catskinning.

Stan the Man lived life on his own terms. He worked as a guide and camp worker at fishing lodges and with Johnny Paul on welding projects. I fondly recall my visits to the Gold Range as a young fella when I would see Stan in action, playing the air guitar and having fun.

Stan was involved with Einar Broten and Lou Rocher in their efforts to save the old shacks and lifestyles of historic Yellowknife, and he himself remained dedicated to that lifestyle living in his own neatly organized shack down in the willows of Peace River Flats, refusing to move to modern housing even into his 90s. He was well liked in the neighbourhood and even in his later years he was willing to lend a hand when someone’s skidoo got stuck or a bear happened to stumble into a neighbour’s backyard.

Stan Larocque is survived by his sister Elsie Yanick, 96, who is unable to travel, and many relatives, including his nephew, our own Commissioner of the Northwest Territories, George Tuccaro.

Our sympathies and good wishes go to all Stan’s family as they mourn his loss and celebrate his life. The funeral will be at St. Pats Church tomorrow at noon with Mr. Tuccaro giving the eulogy.