WEDNESDAY, January 24, 2018

LONG TIME SQUIRREL

It is with great sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather, DION LONG TIME SQUIRREL. Dion began his journey with the Creator on January 16, 2018.

Dion is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Vivian White Quills; two precious daughters D.J. Chanel and Deidre (Godfrey) Long Time Squirrel, his pride and joy grandson “His son”, Kingsley, as well as his two step-daughters Lorilee White Quills and Delaine (Steve) Frank. Dion is also survived by his sister Dylana (Brian) Long Time Squirrel, Denise (Tyrone) Potts, Lynn, Pam Healy, and Lucille Bare Shin Bone; brothers Kevin (Lori), Kurt Healy and Myron (Tanya) Eagle Speaker; aunts Bonita and Pearl Long Time Squirrel, Patsy Weasel Moccasin, Bella (Burt) Mistaken Chief, Lila Heavy Head, and Jessilyn (Armond) Page; uncles and godfather William (Mary) Long Time Squirrel and one of his favourite uncles, Del Sr. and Gilbert Healy. He is also survived by his Great-Aunts, Annie Davis and Betty Hoof. Sister-in-laws, Peggy and Vera White Quills and Tammy (Ed) Knife. Brother-in-laws, Eugene (Lucille) and Kirk (Lorna) White Quills. He is also survived by numerous family relations: Wells, Many Grey Horses, Old Shoes, Eagle Plumes, and Plain Womans.

Dion was born July 4, 1964 in Calgary, AB at the Holy Cross Hospital to (the late) Blandine Long Time Squirrel and (the late) Arthur Healy Jr. and was raised by his grandparents, Nellie and Tom Long Time Squirrel. As the oldest grandchild, he was a “Kiipitaapokaa,” and raised in the Fort Whoop Up area on the Blood Reserve. Alongside his cousins, whom he took as his brothers and sisters; Leonard, Ditty, P.J., Antonio, Barry, Lyle, George, Newton, Shelley, Leeann, Roxanne, Pam and Judy.

In his younger years, alongside his cousins, they went for fishing trips with uncle Darius and Aunt Pearl. They always went prepared to clean and cook what they caught on the banks of the river.

Dion’s grandparents didn’t allow him to go to Indian Residential School, so therefore he received his education in the Lethbridge area. In Junior High at St. Francis Junior High he played football for the “Bombers” as well as playing basketball.

In 1987, this is when he met the love of his life, Vivian. Dion was devoted to taking care of his wife and daughters, ensuring they were well taken care of. He took on the job training with the pipelines, that enabled him to travel all over Alberta. During his tenure with the pipelines, he was required to relocate wherever the work took him and had stories to tell about the adventures involved and how his smooth talking could get him out of trouble with the police. After ten years with the pipelines he returned home, he went back to doing what he loved, carpentry. This took him to renovating and moving his family into his grandparents homestead. As a ‘Kiipitaapokaa” Dion was notorious for neatness, cleanliness, and orderly in which everything had a place. He did his own laundry and made sure everything was folded, including his underclothing and socks.

He played softball with his in laws, their team called the Prairie Fire. And was a fast ball pitcher for Fort Whoop Up team. Winning trophies he displayed proudly, with stories to tell behind them. He retired from playing, then one game his step-daughter Delaine and son-in-law Steve asked him to play for their team the Killer Kleats. He wasn’t impressed with the outcome and said he should of just stayed retired.

Dion was an avid hunter and went on many hunting expeditions, with his cousins, bringing home trophies or souvenirs, bringing them to the taxidermy.

The happiest day of his life was when his first grandchild was born, and to his amazement, he got a grandson. His little boss man. He loved to spoil Kingsley, they were inseparable, he called him, “My son”.

In his past time he read the newspaper daily and loved reading hunting magazines. He was well informed of the current events. In the past year and a half, Dion spent his time spoiling his grandson “bossman.” To be called “Papa” was a real honor he took very seriously, with pride and joy. He received a shirt that he loved wearing proudly, it said “Im too cool to be called Grandpa, so call me Papa.” He would also be on the phone gossiping with his neighbor “Bobo” Hunt. When Vivian would come home everyday from work, Dion always had a story to tell about his daily walk abouts.

Dion made friends everywhere he went. He was a gentle, kind person, who attracted everyone to him, always joking around, making everyone laugh. Dion also enjoyed helping his uncle William during branding season. When Auntie would call him, he would always say, “Just taking it easy relaxing in my man cave.” Dion always mentioned his domain (his man cave). You could always spot Dion a mile away with his camo jacket. He loved the outdoors and hunting.

Dion was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Tom and Nellie (Plain Woman) Long Time Squirrel. Paternal grandparents, Arthur Sr. and Betty Healy (White Feathers), aunts Deanna, Mary, Sylvia and Theresa Long Time Squirrel; uncles Darius, Thomas, Clarence, Marlin and Conrad Long Time Squirrel, Winston, Jordan, Burton and Terry Healy; special cousins Donna, Marie, Judy, Newton, George and Christopher “Twister” Long Time Squirrel. Mother-in-law Olive White Quills, Grandmother-in-law, Flora Creighton and brother-in-law Robert White Quills.

The family apologizes for any names that may have been missed.

A Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 5:00 P.M. with Pastor Rocky Brave Rock officiating.

A Wake Service will follow at WHITE CALF HALL, Blood Reserve, Alberta from 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

A Funeral Mass will be held at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta on Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. with Father Kevin Tumback, Celebrant.

Interment will follow the Mass at the Blood Band Cemetery.

To send a condolence, please visit http://www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com