Max will be greatly missed by his devoted wife Margaret of 70 years and their 10 children–Dan, John, Gordon, Theresa, Rudy (predeceased), Barry (predeceased), Gina, Gary “Sandy”, Donna and Darlene . In addition, he will be missed by many extended family and friends. Beloved grandfather of ‘Misomi’ 18 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He was the eldest son of Sophie Mishibinijima Simon. Max was born in Wiikwemkoong, Manitoulin Island, on February 6, 1932. For 13 years he attended the Garnier-Spanish Residential School located in Spanish Ontario, where he found solace in hockey. Max was six years old when he was placed at Garnier and spent what little free time he had at the outdoor ice rink. Despite being given oversized skates, he stuffed them with rags to make them work. As one of the last surviving students, Max made a lasting statement about Indian residential schools, “May this never happen to another child again.” After exchanging vows, Max moved his wife, Margaret, and first born to Wawa, Ontario, where he found work and raised his family. His children describe their dad as a leader, warrior and devoted father who did his best to instill good values and Anishnabe pride. Max loved the outdoors, woodworking, fishing, hunting, painting, dancing and his many dogs, last two unforgettable – Sam and Cap. For 70 years Max resided in Wawa Ontario, finding work at the Algoma Ore Division (AOD) as a miner and recreation in various baseball and hockey leagues. His on-ice and wrist skills were legendary, who knows what could have been if NHL scouts had ever traveled to Wawa in the pre-highway days. Max was a regular on the ice before reluctantly hanging up his skates at the age of 84. There are a lot of people who have prided themselves on the opportunity to date and skate with him, the better to get one of his precision passes. “He may have played center, but he never expected to be the center of attention.” He was well known throughout the Northshore and Manitoulin. A piece of his heart remained on the island, a place he often returned to with his wife and children, to visit family and relatives. Max’s last trip home was a few days before his death – his hope was to attend the Wiikwemkoong Pow Wow, to visit friends and family. Try as he might, of course he couldn’t, the Creator had other plans and returned him to Wawa. Max was a kind and gentle soul who will remain in the hearts of all who knew him. He was admired by many for his kind and humble nature. Of his decades at Wawa he said, “We love the city, and you won’t meet better people anywhere than you will at Wawa.” His smile, kind words and twinkling eyes made everyone who met him feel special. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made, in Max’s memory, to the Wawa Lady Dunn Hospital. The Simon family would like to acknowledge the care and love provided by all the staff and doctors at Wawa Lady Dunn General Hospital and Sault Area Hospital Renal Clinic. Mass and celebration of Max’s life will be announced at a later date. Please visit www.osullivanfuneralhome.com to share photos or leave condolences for the family. Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St. James Street, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 1P7, 705-759-8456).
