John Noel Prosper
1946-2020
John Noel Prosper
We’koqma’q First Nations, Age 73. It is
with profound sadness that we announce the death of our beloved
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, Godfather and friend. Born in
Inverness, September 26, 1946 and died at home on Monday, June 8,
2020. Married for 46 years to the love of his life, Phyllis. A love
that made the world a truly wonderful place with the children that
they both loved, raised and nurtured to be the amazing adults they are
now, Phillip (Mary), Adam, Wayne (Madonna). Darren (Robyn), Suzanna
(Dwayne), Chantella (Justine) and Natasha.
A true testament as a father is a reflection of his
children’s lives. John, as a father went above and beyond. A
presence bigger than life, a voice louder than thunder, a smile
brighter than the sun, a personality that will forever be missed. A
deck of cards that will forever be ready for that game of crib. A
master crib player, especially with his wife as his partner. Both
forces to be reckoned with at any crib tournament. John, Phyllis and
their children, organized many tournaments in
We’koqma’q. John was a jack of all trades,
passionate with his hobbies. Who can ever forget his stock car racing?
John, right now is racing his #44 stock car, with a huge smile and a
big laugh. When you hear thunder, think of John crossing that finish
line with a louder than life, laugh.
You have to ask yourself if John ever had time to sit and
relax, A proud graduate of the Moncton Flying School. John earned his
golden wings and flew from many different places with a plane. He
would visit, go for breakfast and just like that fly back home. John
did many things in his life, guided by passion and the father in him
to provide for his family. A pulp cutter, a truck driver, a mechanic,
a laborer, Oyster farm manager, a carpenter, fishing for Gaspreaux, a
lobster and crab fisherman, and entrepreneur of Prosper’s
Auto Parts and Prospers Pit Stop, a Band Councilor, Keptin of the
Grand Council, Captain and a Fishing Master IV Captain, who owned and
operated his own fishing fleet, a trapper, a member of the
Elder’s council, and a true master of anything he put his
passion and heart into.
John stayed true to his culture and was a champion canoe
racer along with his partner, Joe Googoo Sr. A member of the canoe
club in We’koqma’q, one of John’s tasks
was to test the life jackets for the club. How John tested the life
jackets was to secure the life jackets to his children and tossing
them in the Skye River. But don’t worry, John was a master
swimmer and saved quite a few lives from drowning.
A true fighter of our rights as Mi’kmaq, one of
John’s biggest passions was hunting. Before our rights were
even brought to the courts and established, John pushed those
boundaries the best way he could. Back in the 1980s, a moose bravely
ventured near the reserve boundaries. While, DNR was trying to urge
the moose away from the We’koqma’q lines, John
rushed down to where the moose was in the Bay. He jumped in the bay up
to his hips, laid in the water, elbow rested in deep mud and shot the
moose as soon as he figured when it hit the reserve. A huge community
celebration followed at his house.
John’s beliefs in the Lord and Jesus was strong, a
member of the Holy Trinity Church in We’koqma’q.
His strong beliefs led him to take the spiritual journey to Medjugorje
a few times. A proud member of the Grand Council for the
Mi’kmaq Nation, Johns voice was respected and sought after
for advice and decisions. A yearly highlight to Johns’ life
was the pilgrimage to St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec, a family
tradition that showed their families belief and passion in
Christianity. A Toronto Maple Leaf fan! Another one of
Johns’ passions was hockey. He served as president of the
Whycocomagh Minor Hockey Association. A dedicated father, he passed
his passion for hockey on to his children and grandchildren. As a
grandfather, you couldn’t find a prouder Granddad. Granddad
never failed to miss any event. He made it to every single birthday
party and had a way that made every single grandchild feel special.
John is survived by his wife of 46 years, Phyllis (nee Francis); sons,
Phillip (Mary), Wayne (Madonna), Suzanna (Dwayne), Darren (Robyn),
Natasha, Adam, Truro; Chantella (Justine); Membertou, John greeted his
son, Joseph in Heaven. Grandchildren, Brittany, Devon, Logan, Cole,
Addison, Jacoby, Isaac, Isaiah, Brandy, Brooke, Skylar, Chase, Ava,
Wastew, Mia, Adara, Aryzona and Ayslynn; sisters, Anna Farrell
(Gerard), Elizabeth “Betty” Googoo, Brenda Prosper, Muriel
Knockwood-Prosper; aunt and best friend, Josephine Peck and best
friend, Joe Googoo. Predeceased by brothers, Howard Prosper, sisters,
Josephine Prosper, Muriel Prosper, Sandra Prosper, and Jean Prosper.
Parents, Joseph Noel Prosper and Mary Susan Prosper and step mother,
Martha Prosper. Son, Joseph Michael Kyle Prosper and godchild,
Donelda.
We want to Sincerely thank Dr. Genge (V.C.M.H) and to the
staff at the Theresa Cremo Memorial Clinic, especially to Clare
MacEachern and Debbie Mackenzie. Thank you for
everything.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Visitation and Funeral Mass
will be held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of
Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh. Words of
comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Noel Prosper 19462020..
Dennis Haverstocks funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Whycocomagh, Province: Nova Scotia