March 21, 2024 - July 21, 2024

On July 21, 2024, at the age of 87 years, Andr茅 Dupras Sr. passed away peacefully in Yellowknife, NWT, with his family by his side.

Andr茅 was born in Val D'or Quebec, and came from a large family. When he passed away, he was the last of his immediate family still living. In his early teens, he made a trek to the North's capital City, Yellowknife, with his best friend Andr茅 Sevigny. They made this trek from Quebec in the late 50's as they heard there was a gold rush and they could get employment in the gold mines. Andr茅 wanted to make money to help his parents back home, which he did for many years. He didn't speak any English, and eventually met his future father-in-law Phillip Lafferty and they hit it off right away as Phillip was French. Phillip introduced Andr茅 to his daughter Louisa, and all he could say in English was "hello cowboy". He courted Louisa and they got married on August 13, 1960 shortly after the birth of their first child Sandra Bradbury (Colin). They had 4 more children together; Annette Hopkins (Jeremy); Andr茅 Dupras Jr. (Lorri); Denise Mazur (Jerry), and Jean-Marc. Sadly, Andr茅 and Louisa lost a child before Jean-Marc due to a miscarriage.

Andr茅 was well known as a very generous man to countless people. He was generous to a fault, and would do anything for anyone if itwas within his power to do. Hewaswell respected by those who knewhimas he made his mark working on the land. He prospected, worked for the Department of Transportation blazing trails for the NWT's Highways, and in the late '60's to mid '70's he worked for the CN Telecommunications Company. He blazed the trail for their Telephone lines between Fort Providence, and Inuvik. He said he "ran" back down that line when he finished blazing it! He loved being a prospector the best though. He worked in Alaska, the NWT, Yukon, Nunavut, BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba where he staked thousands of mineral claims for future exploration by Canada's mining industry. He spent so much time on the land; he used to tell everyone who asked what he did for a living, that he was a bushrat. This resulted in his grandchildren affectionately calling him "Grandpa Bushrat", as that is who he told them he was - just a bushrat trying to support his family. Andr茅 was predeceased by his late wife Louisa in 2010 and his youngest daughter Denise Mazur in 2023. He is survived by his children Sandra, Annette, Andr茅 Jr, and Jean-Marc; his Grandchildren AJ Derksen; Candace (Geoff) and Brandon (Veronica) Bradbury, as well as his great grandchildren Adrial and Meadow, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. There are many more people whom he considered to be family.

The family would like to send our heartfelt thanks to Dad's doctors; Casson, Caron and Paudel; Richard and the 4th floor care team, and emergency staff for the care and support given to our father during his short stay with you. We would also like to thank McKenna Funeral Home for taking care of our father with the highest respect.

Special thanks to Lana Lewis for assisting Dad and helping our family care for Dad over the years; Lane Dewar, Gren Thomas, Ken Armstrong and Clifford (Pie) Larkin for the long lasting friendships you forged with our Dad; Mike Byrne for visiting Dad and holding his hand sharing old time stories with him in hospital. He truly enjoyed your company and friendships, and spoke highly of you all.

Even though it has been difficult, we take comfort from family and friends who have reached out with their love and condolences.We are very grateful for your love, memories and support. Your continuing love, and support, will always be remembered.

Dad wished to be cremated, and have his ashes placed in the hearth of the fireplace in the cabin he built for Mom, located at Yellowknife's Lakeview Cemetery. The family will have a Celebration of Life for Dad in the not-too-distant future.

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A celebration of the life for the late Andre Dupras Sr. will be held at the Tree of peace Friendship Centre on Saturday, August 17th, 2024 at 1:00 pm.

Come join our family in the celebration of his life.