Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I regret to inform that Floyd Daniels passed away on Sunday, August 18th, at the University Hospital in Edmonton after a brief and courageous battle with cancer.
Floyd was born December 16, 1956, to Beatrice and Victor Daniels in Fort Smith. Floyd retired March 2017 after a long, committed, and dedicated career with the Department of Public Works with the GNWT. Floyd was a journeyman carpenter for many years, then he and the family decided it would be a good idea to go back to school to get his Project Management diploma from NAIT.
His career took Floyd and his family from Fort Smith to Inuvik, Fort Simpson to Hay River, where he retired.
In the Deh Cho and South Slave, there were a number of projects that had Floyd's fingerprints on them. Floyd ensured that the projects were done properly with professionalism and great attention to detail. Floyd took a great deal of pride in the work he did for the people.
Floyd was well-known across the North for his athletic ability. As a young athlete, he became known as a tough competitor with a strong work ethic, as well as being an exceptional team player. It was never about him, but instead, it was about his teammates and always ensuring he gave 100 percent of each effort in each sporting endeavour as an athlete. However, if you look at his trophy room, you could see how good he was. This is what he practiced throughout his life. If I could say one thing about Floyd, he did things with intention.
As he became older, he became a coach and transferred his skills to mentoring young players to love sports as he did.
I had the privilege of playing against him and alongside him. To be honest with you, it was much more enjoyable playing alongside him as a teammate than against him.
I may be a tad biased, but I believe he was one of the best pitchers in the NWT and Canada. He was like a fine wine. He got better and better with time.
His beloved wife, Janice, would always joke that his teammates spent more time with Floyd celebrating their wedding anniversary than they did as a married couple. September 2nd would have been their 41st anniversary. They were like all couples, had their ups and downs, good and bad times, and easy and difficult times. It was love at first sight, and you could see their love when they were together.
When he travelled with his team, Floyd would always ensure that he had daily conversations with his wife and family. He would always talk about Janice and his children making a big, huge difference in his life. He would always speak of their accomplishments and how proud he was of them.
The most recent conversations people had with Floyd were about his grandchildren, how he was looking forward to spending time with them. Floyd always spoke with pride and love in his voice. He was always very proud of his family.
Floyd is survived by his wife, Janice; his three sons, Tanner, Trenton, and Brantley; his daughter, Richelle; and daughter-in-law, Amanda; and his three grandchildren, Arabella, Lena, and Victor; as well as extended family members.
I honestly believe Floyd is looking down on us with a big smile on his face as he stands on the pitcher's mound, ready to throw his next perfect game. Floyd, you've pitcher a perfect game in life. Thank you for my friend and the other lives you have enriched having known you and your legacy of hard work and dedication will live in your children in life and your lovely wife as your greatest fan.
The family would like to thank the University Hospital staff for all they did for Floyd and the friends who passed on their condolences and prayers. Rest well, my friend.