BERNARD, Alan- Age 67, We’koqma’q First Nation. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Alan Bernard on Monday, March 6, 2017, in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish. Born in Sydney, Alan was the proud grandson of the legendary Grand Chief, Gabriel Sylliboy. Alan is survived by his wife of 40 years, Juliana. He also leaves behind the light and loves of his life, Maria, Jason (Michelle), Annie (Gussie) and Tim (Nel), three very special people in his life who he loved just as much as his own children, Bucky (Tracy), Lana (Luii) and Liam; his grandchildren, Peter, Stephanie, Landon, Justin, Owen, Trinity, Trishelle, Shaelynn, Eternity, Kirkland, Jonah, Jada, Mya, Misha, Aaron, Ryan, Dawson, Allie, Angie and Avery; four great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Jaiden, Kenny and Alayah. Alan is also survived by his sisters, Julena, Ducy (Bob), special sister, Murdena Marshall; brothers, John Wayne, John Alan and Seven; his godchildren whom he loved very much, Karen, Bernadette, Lana, Felix, Majestic, John Basque, Shaelynn and Carlyle who greeted his godfather in eternity. Alan had numerous nieces and nephews, all very special to him. Alan was predeceased by his parents, Charles Andrew and Annie Mae (Sylliboy) Bernard; brothers, Freddy, Charles "Chuckie", Lawrence "Lunch", Walter and Carl. In his younger years, Alan was a NADACA Employee and sat on the Board of Directors. He was a Social Development Administrator for Potlotek. Alan saw the importance of our Mi’kmaq family children services. Alan was highly educated; he became the first Mi’kmaq to graduate from Acadia University, later to go on to pursue another degree from Cape Breton University. He was an employee of the We’koqma’q Band, serving as Director of Education and Guidance Councillor for 25 years. He was known for visiting his students all across the Maritimes, treating them to meals and many times leaving them money to assist them. He never missed a graduation of any of his students. Alan had many friends, all of them very special to him; he was known anywhere he went. A special gratitude from us to Kenny Basque, Jerome Basque, Patsy Larade and Robert Boudreau, all very special to Alan. A huge Montreal Canadiens fan, Alan instilled the love of hockey to his sons and to countless others. Every winter weekend was dedicated to hockey, practices, games and tournaments. It was his ultimate pleasure to travel to Montreal many times to watch them play. In the summer, Alan loved fishing and boating. He was a ferry taxi boat operator at Chapel Island Mission. In his first year of operating the boat, Alan destroyed the old wharves that had stood for decades. As a result, the Mi’kmaq Nation has Alan to thank for the new wharves that the Potlotek Band had to replace. Over the years he perfected his boat driving and gained many loyal customers. Alan served as MC for community functions in We’koqma’q. He was a founder of the Waycobah Mi’kmaq minor hockey committee and was an avid fundraiser for the community. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124, Iona and was also on the Elder’s Committee – UNSI. Alan was President of the We’koqma’q Kisiku Committee and was an avid photographer for the community. Alan served as a We’koqma’q Band Councillor for many years. His leadership skills and honest approach gained him much respect from our community. It was his love and passion of his job that paved the path for his own children, Jason and Annie to follow in their dad’s footsteps. Alan had a youthful persona to him, always wearing a smile. He made sure that the youth in our community had something to do, whether it is dances, skiing, bowling, Santa Clause drives, and winter carnivals. Alan was always the first one up on the dance floor and the last to leave. We would like to thank Dr. Carlyle Chow for his friendship and the great care for Alan. To the surgical team, ICU nurses at St. Martha’s; we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. All of you went above and beyond in caring for Alan. We will never forget you. In honour of our husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, godfather please donate blood to the Red Cross, as it was the blood of donors that kept him alive. Visitation will be after 1 p.m. Sunday in the Multi Purpose Building, 160 Reservation Rd, We’koqma’q First Nation. Funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Tuesday from Saint Kateri Parish, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, We’koqma’q with Father Paul Abbass officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery at a later date. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation After 1 p.m. Sunday, March 12 Visitation Location Multi-Purpose Building, 160 Reservation Road, We'koqma'q Service Information Service Date Tuesday, March 14, 2017 Service Time 11 a.m. Service Location Blessed Katerie Parish, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, We’koqma`q, Burial Information Burial Date At a later date Burial Location Parish cemetery