Wellington Herbert Williams

WILLIAMS, Wellington Herbert "Wang" - November 19, 1928 - January 18, 2015. Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family's love at Peterborough Regional Health Centre in his 87th year. Son of the late Herbert Williams of Rama reserve and the late Adeline Coppaway (late stepfather Elwood Coppaway) of Curve Lake. He will be greatly missed by his wife Wreathia (Irons), daughters Brenda Williams and Dawn Halliday (Mike) and son Gary Williams (Barb). His memories will also be cherished by his grandchildren Michael Williams, Leanne Nichols, Matt McIntyre, Katie Wakely, Eddie Williams, Julie Williams, and great grandchildren Dalyn Wakely, Mikayla Williams, Sidney Wakely, Kenzie McIntyre, Camden Williams, Jayda Cremers, and Torin Nichols.

Dear brother of Garnet Coppaway and the late Avis Knott, Amelia Byers, Peggy Irons, Wallace Williams, Iola Coppaway, and Almeta Coppaway.

To those that knew him, he was an extremely hardworking and motivating man. Firm in his beliefs and dedicated to his many projects and especially his family. In his early years he provided for his family hunting, fishing, gathering and guiding with skills he had been taught by his uncles (one being Madden Taylor) and older friends (one being Albert Taylor) who mentored him in these practices. He was proud that he was able to do this for as long as he did. In the mid 60's he realized that this was not going to provide the things he wanted for his family and changed his way of life and focus. Wellington was a ground breaker as a First Nation entrepreneur in this area. He owned and operated Wangs Construction and prospered from seeing an opportunity in lifting cottages and putting in basements. He used his traditional knowledge and unmatched work ethic, self-confidence, resourcefulness and perseverance to prosper. He understood the importance of networking. He met and became good friends with the late John Newman (John Newman Construction) from Ennismore and together they worked to fine tune their chosen field. He said with pride that one summer with his crew of three did 23 cottage lifts and full basements. Wellington met many people in his years of running his business and became very close with other business owners, suppliers and employees. He truly loved his work and cherished his relationships of those he interacted with.

Wang also loved his leisure time but went about it with a vigour only he could maintain. In his early years he was a skilled hockey player with his skating skills honed from using old skate blades (kubjignug) tied to rubber boots which he used to travel the surrounding lakes to hunt and fish. He loved telling stories of the games back then.

Wellington was also an expert paddler. He always found ways to use the traditional skills he had learned to his advantage. He dominated all local regattas where he paddled. He teamed up with Les Crowe from Stoney Lake and together they ruled the lakes and rivers of Ontario for many years as a doubles canoeing team. In 1966 he organized a 5 day canoeing trip and with a group of young men paddled from Curve Lake to Parry Sound. He also made a large map that showed where he paddled while hunting and racing. It covers most of the Trent Severn waterway from Parry Sound to the north and Trenton to the east. Wellington founded the Cedar Bay Regatta in 1989 and ran this local event with his family to the present.

Wang also loved the game of hockey and formed and coached the Cedar Bay Wangers. This was a team of select players from Curve Lake and other "First Nations " that played in pretty big cash tournaments across Ontario. Of course his team always did well in the fun and winning department.

Throughout his life he was also a fan and promoter of hockey. Through the 60s, he would drive kids who needed a ride from Curve Lake to the old arena in Lakefield at all hours of the day. He loved to watch his son, grandsons, granddaughters and great granddaughters and great grandsons play all sports, but especially hockey. He was happy to see grandson Matt trap and prep furs using skills he had taught him. Recently he also directed his grandson Michael to maintain an ice rink down Cedar Bay Road which is open to anyone who wants to use it.

Wang was an activist of native hunting and fishing rights, not in a political sense but more of a matter of fact way. He always exercised that right regardless of the laws and politics of the day. The story of Wang on a snowmobile eluding an MNR helicopter made the Peterborough Examiner back in the 70's.

Wellington gathered and maintained a collection of historical pictures of Curve Lake and its members. He loved to talk about who the people where in the pictures and describe what they were doing. He built a 28 foot trailer to house a small part of his collection.

Wang lived a very fulfilling life, one which saw him transition from old ways to new ways while maintaining traditional values and ethics.

Wangs request was to have a private family service.

A memorial pond hockey tournament is being planned for February 14-15, 2015 at Cedar Bay Pond, Curve Lake.

Donations can be made by volunteering your time to your community in Wellington's memory.

Cremation entrusted to COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL HOME. If desired, directions to the tournament, condolences to the family, or donations to a charity of your choice, may be made at www.CommunityAlternative.ca or by calling 705-742-1875.