Googoo, Raymond – On Friday,
October 15, 2021, our beloved father, grandfather, and great
grandfather, Raymond Googoo began his journey into the spirit world at
the age of 82.
Ray was born at home on May 6, 1939 in
We’koqma’q First Nation to Charles and Mary Ann
Googoo. Born in We’koqma’q, Ray’s family
moved to Eskasoni during the later years of Centralization, where he
spent much of his younger years there. His family then moved
back to We’koqma’q, and on November 29, 1970,
Raymond married Annie Isabel Bernard. Together, they raised
five daughters; Bernadette, Charlene, Claudine, Susan Raye, Dana and
two sons; Christopher and Justin.
If you could describe Ray in one word,
“weljaqe’kaq” would be it. Embracing the
richness of “life” could only be fitting; rich in life,
experience, love, laughter, words, friendships, time, compassion, and
community. Ray grew up in simpler times, spending hours in
the forest swinging the axe and running the saw with his brothers,
doing odd jobs to feed family and friends. As a young man,
he experienced the life of a traveller, hitchhiking throughout the
United States and “paying his way” with over 60 different
jobs: from furniture making, warehouse work, blueberry and potato
picking, janitorial duties, furnace installations, plumbing, to a
circus hand. Raymond’s adventures led to near
death experiences in the mountains of Colorado to embracing humanity
in the generosity of strangers in South Dakota.
Raymond’s passion for travel continued in his older years,
travelling to Rome, many trips to Ellsworth, Maine, Boston Red Sox
games, Peggy’s Cove and summers in Prince Edward
Island. He had a passion for sports, where you would have
found him playing hockey and softball for Potlotek against his own
communities of Eskasoni and We’koqma’q. He carried
his commitment to community, volunteering for the Terry Fox Run and as
a coach in hockey and for the young We’koqma’q
Warriors Softball team. Raymond also served his community as a former
councillor for the We’koqma’q Band Council. He
loved canoeing, often competing during the Mi’kmaq Summer
Games, and taking part in the epic 33-day journey of canoeing from
Potlotek, Cape Breton to Montreal for Expo
67.
With the new responsibilities of family, Ray continued to
support his community as a coach in the sports he loved. At the age of
43, he would’ve put any young athlete to shame with the many
medals and trophies he would win during the Mi’kmaq Summer
Games. It was during these years Raymond participated in
Uechi-ryu karate, where he reached the level of brown belt under the
legendary Jim Maloney. For many years, Raymond worked as a
bus driver and engaged the youth with his many stories and continued
to be involved in school activities. For years, Raymond was the
community choir director, directing his five daughters and niece with
their angelic voices.
As an entrepreneur, Ray would take over his
father’s basket shop, “Googoo’s
Baskets.” Adding a small diner and pool hall, where he
would let the local kids lock the store up for him, allowing them a
safe space to socialize and have fun. Many years later he would open a
cleaning business; “Raymond & Sons” and eventually
become the owner of “Googoo’s Gas
Bar.” Unbeknownst to many, the leasing of
Raymond’s land to We’koqma’q Fishery
seeded the community’s success in the fishery
operations.
Raymond was a dedicated husband, loving father, and proud
grandfather. He left a legacy strong in Mi’kmaq oral
tradition. Ray was known for his stories. The many
adventures he experienced in life as a young Mi’kmaw
traveller, a hardworking and proud Mi’kmaw man, were shared
in his tales of life, family, friendship. Regardless of the
limitations of his health, Raymond always made time for reflecting in
his quiet cabin in Mala, spending time with his grandchildren, he
enjoyed playing with his grandkids, listening to music, and sharing
life’s lessons with words of humour and love.
Ray was preceded in death by his father, Charles Googoo, his
mother, Mary Ann Googoo, his brothers Edward Googoo, Simon Googoo,
James Googoo, his twin brother Ryan C Googoo and godson Paul Brennan
Googoo. He is survived by his wife, Annie Isabel (Bernard);
his sons, Christopher Googoo (Melody), Millbrook, Justin Googoo
(Danielle), We’koqma’q; his daughters, Bernadette
Googoo, We’koqma’q, Charlene Googoo (Ryan Jr),
We’koqma’q, Claudine Googoo,
We’koqma’q, Susan Raye Googoo,
We’koqma’q and Dana Pierro (Hubert),
We’koqma’q; sister, Anna Michael (Andrew Joe),
We’koqma’q; He also leaves behind his loving
grandchildren; Justice, Katerina, Konnor and Lucky Basque; Dalen,
Michael and Shaylene Googoo; Jakob, Konrad and Kylee Phillips;
Brennan, Madi and Brady Googoo; Sam and Noah Prosper, Autumn, Sage,
Maya and Aiden Gould; Dante, Huey and Lorelei Joe-Pierro and Juelz and
Demi Sylliboy; loving great grandchildren, Sophia Googoo-Paul,
Chevéyo Googoo, Liluyé and Léia
Millier, Artemi Pierro, Brody, Aeris and Garren ji’j Denny
and Azia Francis; Godchild Kyle Julian and his loyal little friend
Lyla Gould. and many nieces, great nieces,
nephews and great
nephews.
Raymond’s family would like to extend their
heartfelt gratitude to Dr. La france, Dr. Ritter, Dr. Thananmayooran,
the staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and Inverness
Consolidated Hospital, and special thanks to the dialysis ward, the
nurses of the We’koqma’q Health Centre, your
support is greatly appreciated, Wela’liek.
Visitation will take place at the
We’koqma’q Community Centre, 15 Reservation Rd,
We’koqma’q, NS, commencing Tuesday, October 19,
2021 at 4:00pm. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday,
October 21st, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Blessed
St. Kateri Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. Burial in the parish
cemetery. Flowers may be sent to the Centre and memorial donations can
be made in Raymond’s name to The Ulnooweg Indigenous
Communities Foundation. Memories and condolences may be forwarded to
the family by visiting www.haverstocks.com.
Please have your vaccination card ready and
with you when you are arriving for the visitation and funeral service.
If you are exempt from having a vaccine, you will need to show proof
from either a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. Face masks and coverings
are still required.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Raymond Googoo 1939 2021..
Dennis Haverstocks funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Port-Hawkesbury, Province: Nova Scotia