After two years of courageously battling cancer, and with family and friends at his side, our brother Mario passed away at St. Anthony’s Hospital on May 22, 2014 at 11:47 p.m. at the age of 53 years. Mario was the eldest of six children born to the Late Samson and Isabel Lathlin. He was raised on Opaskwayak Cree Nation and went to school at both Sacred Heart and MBCI. When Mario was just thirteen years old, he lost his Mother, and therefore, grew up fast to help his Father raise his siblings. He lied about his age and joined CN Extra Gang at the age of 14. He was very responsible at this young age and spent his paycheques on groceries for the family. Mario was a very happy-go-lucky young man and was known for getting into mischief with his cousins whom he considered his sisters and brothers. He enjoyed snaring rabbits or hunting chickens and taking them home to cook up a meal for the family. Our brother was no stranger to hard work. Whenever work was available, he was there. He worked construction jobs including laying water and sewer lines in the community, worked on the OCN Parks and Recreation Community Beautification Crew, was a forest fire fighter, carpenters helper along with anything else came up. He worked until his health started to take a toll on him. He had a great love for the outdoors as well. He was always willing to help out whenever he was needed whether it was trapping, commercial fishing or hunting. He enjoyed these activities with his relatives and friends. He was a true outdoorsman! Mario lived in Winnipeg and Saskatoon for periods of time, but always found his way back home to OCN to live with his Dad and brothers. His sense of humour and laughter were his greatest gifts to this world. It didn’t matter what was going on in his life, he never lost those gifts. Mario loved to have visitors. He welcomed each and every one and made sure they felt welcome. He learned how to make bannock from his late father….this was a something he was proud of as he was asked to make bannock for various community events. He was a man of many friends…..to name them here would be difficult as we would be sure to miss someone and we wouldn’t want anyone to feel left out. You all know who you are and we are grateful for the constant friendship and companionship you gave him. As in the words of a friend of his, “Mario never really had anything of great monetary value; material things didn’t mean anything to him. But I know he was the richest man I’ve ever known in love and laughter. He shared what little he had and stood by people in hard times.” This was the kind of man he was. He had friends both young and old and they all enjoyed spending time with him. The children of friends his age enjoyed spending time with Mario when they grew up and would visit him often. Many people didn’t realize how sick our brother was and this was because he never wanted pity from anyone. Whenever anyone asked how he was doing, he always said he was fine. He wanted to face this battle on his own and did so up until the end. He refused escorts for all of his appointments as he said, “I want to do this alone.” He fought his battle bravely to the end and left us all with many, many fond memories. We will miss you Mar! Mario leaves to cherish his memory: Brothers Daniel, Pierre (Jennifer), and Hilliard (Delphine); adopted Brother and Sister Clarence (Cheap) and Patti Constant. He will be missed by his Nieces Treena (Michael) and her children, Shaylin, Tia, Jade and Tanis; Michaela Lathlin and Shyann Lathlin. His Nephews, Lester Jr. (Christina) and their children Damien, Piper and Michael; Tyler (Thomasina) and their children Thelma, Taylor and Torrance; Chad (Jade) and their children Anthony and Heath; Eric Lathlin, Avery and Ashton Constant; Mario also leaves one brother-in-law, Lester Chaboyer Sr.; Aunties Rosie Nabess, Flora Crane, Uncle Philip Crane; Cousins whom he considered sisters and brothers, Mary, Emma, Blanche, Carrie, Annie, Louisa, Gladys, Madeline, Simon, Ted, and Nathan, and many more cousins and extended family. Mario will also be missed by another special woman in his life, Lena Henderson whom he looked to for motherly guidance and support. Mario also leaves the Fiddler, Crane and Pelly family members from Cumberland House, Saskatchewan. Mario was pre-deceased by his Parents, Samson and Isabel Lathlin (nee Crane); brother Talbot; sisters Thelma and infant Myra Katherine; Grandparents, William and Maria Lathlin and Julius and Louisa Crane; Niece Ashley Chaboyer; Aunts and Uncles, Carrie and John Fiddler, Clara and Samuel Bignell, Paul Crane, Douglas Crane, Peter Crane, Malcolm Crane, William Fiddler, Amelia Settee; Cousins, Charlotte Azure, Thomas Bignell, Harvey Bignell, Gilbert Bignell, Jonah Young, Steven Head, Cynthia Scott, Danny Crane, Gerrod Head, Ethan Flett and Wyatt Flett. Wakes: May 26 & 27, 2014 at Margaret Henderson Parish Hall Funeral Service: Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Pallbearers: From Parish Hall into Church: Jeremy Cook Nathan Bignell Leon Pelly Edward Harris Jonathon Lathlin Lazarus Asmus Dino Wilson Malcolm Lathlin Out of the Church: Hilliard Lathlin James Fiddler Lester Chaboyer Jr. Corey Pelly Tyler Lathlin George Constant Lester Chaboyer Sr. Simon John Bignell Jr. To Graveside: All Family and Friends Honorary Pallbearers: Mario’s Brothers, Sister, Nieces and Nephews Interment: Emmanuel Cemetery, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB. Hemauer Funeral Home, The Pas, Manitoba in Care of Arrangements