Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Percy Samuel Hardisty left behind an incredible legacy of family, humour, love, and friendship.
Percy Hardisty was born in Wrigley, NWT on July 9, 1951, to Arthur and Christine Hardisty. He was the youngest of three boys, and a big brother to his younger sister. He is survived by his sister Doreen and his brother Charlie.
Percy attended school in Fort Simpson and Yellowknife. Upon completing school, Percy served in the Canadian Armed Forces for five years of admirable service. After serving our country, he went on to work in the oil industry in Alberta. In 1977, Percy returned to Fort Simpson and Wrigley.
Percy fondly speaks about moving back to Fort Simpson. First, he was saved by the Lord around that time, attending a gospel tent meeting in the Thomas Simpson schoolyard. He remained deeply religious for the remainder of his life. Second was meeting the love of his life, Elizabeth Menicoche. On February 16, 1985, they were married and raised three wonderful daughters.
During his life, he held a number of jobs working with Parks Canada, the recreation centre, the Fort Providence Residential School Society, and served on the executive committee of the Dehcho First Nation. As well, he owned his own businesses, doing seismic slashing and security services. He was always busy.
Percy worked hard to serve his people in the Dehcho in many different capacities. He served two terms as Chief of Wrigley, first in 1985 and 2000. He was one of the founding directors of the Dehcho Friendship Centre in Fort Simpson, and served 12 years as the chairperson. He was awarded for all his hard work with the Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 for outstanding and exemplary contributions to their communities or to Canada as a whole.
Percy Hardisty served on the Mackenzie Valley Environment Review Board from November 2003 until August 2004, where he took a leave of absence to serve as a joint review panel member for the Mackenzie Gas Project for seven years. After the project completed, he returned to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Board on December 2009. He concluded his service to the board in March 2014.
Mr. Speaker, as Percy was nearing the end of his journey, lying on his bed, his pain and discomfort disappearing all at once, he stopped breathing. Embraced by his family and friends by his bedside, softly and silently, he left them as he went to meet the Lord on April 17th.
The Hardisty family would like to thank everybody for their loving support and prayers during their time of sorrow. As well, they would like to thank Kevin Menicoche for doing the eulogy.
Mr. Speaker, Percy Samuel Hardisty will be sadly missed and never forgotten.