Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's with a heavy heart today that I announce that the late Vince Patrick Sharpe, aged 76, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2024, at Stanton Territorial Hospital here in Yellowknife.
Vince was born on February 10th, 1948, in Nova Scotia to Walter J. Sharpe and Margaret M. Sharpe. Vince is one of six siblings, with two brothers and four sisters.
Vince left Nova Scotia at the young age of 19 and was soon captivated by the lure of the North and moved to Inuvik in 1968, initially working for Slim Semmler and John Camaralie. In 1968, he took a position then as Transport Canada firefighter at the Inuvik airport and volunteer firefighter of the Inuvik volunteer fire department.
He met his first wife Mabel Keevik in 1971. Vince has three beautiful children Sheryl, Mike, and Harmony. And three wonderful grandsons, Brent, Colton, and Daniel.
He met and married his second wife Lena Allen, which then grew their family by two more children, Jimmy and Jenny Kalnik.
Vince went on to become a successful general contractor employing many local people for Inuvik and the surrounding areas.
On November 17th, 2007, Mr. Speaker, Vince was awarded the medal for bravery from the Governor General of Canada for rescuing two occupants from a burning structure in Inuvik.
Vince is predeceased by his father Walter Sharpe, Toronto, Ontario; his mother Margaret, Turo, Nova Scotia; and, brother David Sharpe, Gjoa Haven.
Mr. Speaker, Vince was one of the first people I met when I moved to Inuvik 30 years ago and we remained close friends since that time. Vince has always been an incredible advocate for our community that he so dearly loved. He served several years as a municipal councillor. He was a staunch supporter of the Inuvik fire department, any local protective services, and he supported and fundraised for community events such as the Muskrat Jamboree, the Firefighters Gala, the Children's First Centre, and many, many more, Mr. Speaker, that I could probably go on for an hour.
Vince's favourite place on the planet was at Ya Ya Lake where he spent many, many well, pretty much every weekend that he could out there in the summer hosting tourists, family, friends. As anybody who knows Vince, and I know some colleagues from the Beaufort Delta who are with me, and yourself, Vince lived life on his own terms always and was a true pillar for Inuvik and a legend for Inuvik, and he'll certainly be sorrily missed.
Mr. Speaker, I offer my condolences to his family and friends and funeral services will take place on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Midnight Sun Complex, the Roy Sugloo Arena in Inuvik. Burial at the cemetery will take place following the ceremony.
Mr. Speaker, I will be absent from the House Thursday, February 22nd, and Friday, February 23rd, to attend the service with family and friends for Mr. Sharpe. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from Inuvik Boot Lake. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of an amazing individual that I had the pleasure of knowing since 1988. So he will be sadly missed. So please pass on our condolences to the family and friends. Thank you.
