Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

AWKESASNE – Mr. Michael G. "Minnows" Sunday, "Ohserase", age 77, of Sunday Drive, Snye, peacefully passed away Monday evening, June 23, 2014 at Iakhihsohtha Lodge, where he had been residing.

Mike was born January 1, 1937 in Akwesasne, Quebec, the son of the late Louis and Agnes Phillips Sunday.  On April 28, 1958, he married Claudia Jock at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Jacobs, officiating. The marriage later ended in divorce. 

Mike first worked on the family farm until the age of 16, when he began his working career as a journeyman ironworker with Local #440, where he worked throughout the Northeast.  In 1976, as the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department began, he was one of its original members and continued serving his community as a fireman until 1991.  Mike was also a member of the Death Benefits Group and a communicant of the St. Regis Catholic Church.  He loved to play softball with the Snye Bums and truly enjoyed time on the river fishing and boating.  Mike was always known to have a great sense of humor and in his retirement years enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Mike is survived by his seven children, Susan Sunday and her husband, Stefan Bert of Hamilton Island, Ontario; Ronald "Minnows" Sunday and his wife, Norma of Akwesasne; Karen Loran and her husband, Ace of Akwesasne; Randy Sunday of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Jeffery Sunday, Stephanie and Jade Smoke, all of Akwesasne; 10 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.   He is also survived by his sisters, Sally Ann Adams and Mildred White of Akwesasne; his brothers, James Sunday and his wife, Linda and Richard Sunday, all of Akwesasne; his sisters-in-law, Betty Sunday, Angie Sunday, and Trudy Sunday, all of Akwesasne; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mike was predeceased by his son, Mose Allen Lazore on February 3, 2003; his brothers, Joseph "Jiggy" Sunday on December 21, 1997; David J. Sunday, Sr. on April 1, 2002; Robert "Bobby" Sunday on October 14, 2006; and his brother-in-law, Morris Adams on October 27, 2008.

Friends may call at the Akwesasne Homemakers beginning 1:00 PM Wednesday until 10:00 AM Thursday.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday 11:00 AM at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Anthony Osuji, celebrating.  Cremation will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department.

Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where memories and condolences may be shared online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.