Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to do a eulogy for two men who were lifelong residents of the Northwest Territories; both of whom were close friends of mine. Their names are Charles Larocque and William Larocque. They were first cousins, and they passed away about a month apart last September and last August.
Mr. Speaker, Charles Larocque was born on July 17, 1955, and passed away at the age of 63 on September 27, 2018. Charles had a nickname. To everyone who knew him, he was "Sunshine." Sunshine was predeceased by his father, Archie Larocque, and his brothers, Johnny and Pat, as he had a nickname so that the majority of his family are his siblings.
Mr. Speaker, Sunshine is survived by his wife, Margaret Mckay; his mother, 90-year-old Florence Larocque; his children, Kento, Shawna, and Savanna. I am going to try some nicknames of these siblings, Mr. Speaker. His siblings were Wally, Terri, Annie, Dawna, Allan, known as "Stinky," James "Lovey," Frank, Vernon "Sweet," George "Snuckie," Darryl "Levie," Elaine "Fatso," Melvin "Ugly man," Jack "Arsenic," Roy "Bucklow," Archie "Smokey," Clifford "Blue," Therese, Brian "Garbage," and Henry.
Mr. Speaker, William Larocque also had a nickname, and he was known as "Jay." He was born on January 29, 1954. He was 64 years old when he passed away on August 15, 2018. Jay was predeceased by his mother, Harriet (Mcswain) Mercredi, and his father, Stan "The Man" Larocque, and his brother, Allan.
Mr. Speaker, Jay is survived by his wife, Gibby; his children, Janice, Michelle, Nancy, Russel, and Brendan; his siblings, Martha Mercredi, Ruth McCullough, Lloyd Willy, James "Ugly Man" Larocque, Larry "Buckler" Larocque, Gord Mcswain, and William Mcswain, better known as "Willy."
Mr. Speaker, Sunshine was a well-liked man, known to everyone across the Northwest Territories. He has been a friend of mine. He was a mine for 50 years, and I never heard one single person say anything negative about him.
Jay Larocque was much the same, Mr. Speaker. In fact, at his funeral, I spoke to Jay's mother-in-law, Mrs. Hamilton. After the church, she came up to me, and she said, "I had no idea how many friends Jay had."
Mr. Speaker, both of these were wonderful people. The NWT has truly lost great individuals in Sunshine and Jay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.