Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

AKWESASNE – Mr. Mitchell P. Sunday, 81, of 169 Snye Road, passed away early Monday morning, September 18, 2017 at Cornwall Community Hospital, with his loving family by his side.

Mitch was born June 2, 1936 in Akwesasne, Quebec, the son of the late Peter and Mary Phillips Sunday. He attended schools in Tsi Snaihne and was a survivor and graduate of the Indian Residential School in Spanish, Ontario. On July 1, 1961, he married Elizabeth R. Jackson at St. Regis Catholic School with Father George White officiating. They were blessed with 56 years of marriage, 5 children, numerous grandchildren, and were crowned King and Queen of the 2017 Snye Winter Carnival.

Mitch was an ironworker with Local #440 for many years. He and his wife also owned Sunday Ranch, a western clothing and boot store, on Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island) for nearly 12 years. He was a founding member of the Snye Bums Softball Team, where he was known a "Vacuum" and was also known as "Spike Sunday" on the volleyball courts. He was a former member of the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department, Station 3, and was a member of the Tri-District Elders and the Akwesasne Death Benefits Group. Mitch had a great love for the game of golf, enjoyed bowling, visiting the casino with his "$10 limit," and was an avid Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Christmas was very important to Mitch, but of all his enjoyments and hobbies, he mostly cherished the time he was able to spend with his family.

Mitch is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth; his children, Vaughn and Collette Sunday of Akwesasne, Faron and Julie Sunday of Williamstown, Ontario, Janelle and Leonard Thompson of Kawehno:ke, Dean and Donna Sunday of Tsi Snaihne, and Jodi and AJ Adams of Kawehno:ke; his grandchildren, Rochelle, Marques, Ivan, Lindsay, Kellen, Mitch, William, Logan, Landon, Kaylin, Kiana, Viola, Shea, Dustin, Kendell, and Kade; his great grandchildren, Dreyton, Ciaius, Devery, Brandi, Kellen Jr., Arianna, Keenan, Kinzley, Kali, Lenny, Aria, Lillyann, Nirvana, and Navarro; his brother, Paul Buckshot; and his beloved dog, Diamond.

He is also survived by his godchildren, Darrin "Merv" Mitchell, Melanie Leaf, Deanne Jackson, Lakota Lazore, Tyler Sunday, Steve White, and Kevin Phillips, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was the chosen brother to Robert, Joseph "Jiggy", Michael, Dave, Jimmy, Richard, and Billy Sunday, Richard Phillips, Sally Ann Adams, Mildred White, and Lori Ann Lazore.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Peter, Rocky, and Andrew Buckshot, and his sister Minnie Leaf.

Friends began calling at the Akwesasne Homemakers on Wednesday through to 9:30 AM Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday 11:00 AM at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Jerome Pastores officiating. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery, Kanatakon.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Akwesasne Homemakers.

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