(Makatay Binaysii Inninii - Black Thunderbird Man)
With a heavy weight in our hearts we announce the passing of Moe on January 25, 2022 in his 73rd year. After a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) just over 2 years ago, and a stem cell transplant in June 2021, he unfortunately succumbed to COVID despite having received 3 vaccine doses.
Moe was predeceased by his parents Curtis and Alice as well as his younger brother Ross. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Christine Hemple-Brubacher, siblings Sanford Brubacher (Colette Minion) and Lorrie Brubacher (Dan Perlman), children Sarah White and Tim Brubacher (Alisa), and Michael McGuire (Melissa) and Melissa Hemple, grandchildren Isabella and Brayden White, Maddie and Owen Brubacher, Lucas McGuire, Alexis Dehmer, and many nieces and nephews.
Having lived in 9 different decades he was born on February 11, 1949 and he grew up one mile east of Heidelberg on the family dairy farm. This upbringing instilled in him ingenuity, determination and a work ethic that persevered through all aspects of his life. He went to a small rural elementary school east of Heidelberg and high school at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate and grade 13 at Elmira District Secondary School. Moe then completed his undergrad at the University of Toronto and his master’s degree at Laurier.
His career at Family and Children’s Services spanned 25 years, 17 of these as the Executive Director where he championed supportive and collaborative ways of working together with families to keep children in the security of their family networks. Moe believed in the power of community and advocated for services that helped community members to support each other. He found overwhelming evidence that communities, when given the right supports, can grow and nurture healthy families.
During his years at Family and Children’s Services in Guelph, Moe was also seconded to work at Tikinagan Child and Family Services in northern Ontario where he supported fly-in communities to address their unique needs from 1999-2010. When Moe retired from Guelph Family and Children’s Services in 2007, his work did not stop. He went on to support a number of other initiatives involving children and families, and Indigenous communities. Long before many were aware of the plight of Indigenous persons in Canada, Moe was actively speaking up and doing what he could to give back. While working with Tikinagan he wrote and published Coming Home: The Story of Tikinagan Child and Family Services.
Moe was a voracious learner, always in a quest for new knowledge, constantly seeking to grow and learn, and to find new ways to give back. In 2016, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies at Laurentian University. While there he published a compilation of teachings called Keepers of the Fire. He even started to work towards a Ph.D. in his mid 60s! It was through this journey at Trent University that he came to know and love the people of Peguis. He ultimately decided to stop work on his Ph.D. to continue his support in that community.
The SunLodge Village at Peguis First Nation welcomed him with open arms and very quickly he became a treasured member of the SunLodge family. He took much from his participation in the ceremonies and in return helped them write funding proposals that ultimately were instrumental in the building of the 7000 square foot ceremony lodge.
Moe met Christine in late 2017 and their relationship quickly grew. Christine joined Moe on a trip to Peguis and fell in love with the people and the community there as well. They worked side by side helping the SunLodge Village and the local Child and Family Services agency to provide opportunities for Indigenous children to participate in land-based experiences and learn about their cultural heritage. There have been many trips back and forth between their home in Guelph and the community in Peguis. On July 25, 2020, Moe and Christine were married at Peguis First Nation in a ceremony surrounded by some family members and much of their chosen SunLodge family.
Christine continued to support Moe throughout his journey with MDS. She was right by his side through the many rounds of treatments and chemotherapy and multiple hospitalizations. Even in these challenging times, Moe tried to stay focused on the love for his family and friends. He continued to dream of a world where there was justice and equality.
Moe will be remembered for his unconditional love, his kindness and compassion, and his humility. Rest well precious Moe.
Bammapii Giizhagiin Minininim
Until we meet again.
A private family service will be held at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL on Friday, February 11, 2022 at 11:00 am. Guests may attend remotely via Zoom by clicking this link. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shelldale Family Gateway (formerly Better Beginnings Better Futures) or SunLodge Village, The Place Where the Bear Sits Inc. (mail cheque payable to: The SunLodge Village, P.O. Box 96, Peguis, MB R0C 3J0) would be appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of Maurie (Moe) D. Brubacher in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.