Googoo, Raymond - On Friday, October 15, 2021, our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Raymond Googoo began his journey into the spirit world at the age of 82. Ray was born at home on May 6, 1939 in We’koqma’q First Nation to Charles and Mary Ann Googoo. Born in We’koqma’q, Ray’s family moved to Eskasoni during the later years of Centralization, where he spent much of his younger years there. His family then moved back to We’koqma’q, and on November 29, 1969, Raymond married Annie Isabel Bernard. Together, they raised five daughters; Bernadette, Charlene, Claudine, Susan Raye, Dana and two sons; Christopher and Justin. If you could describe Ray in one word, "weljaqe’kaq" would be it. Embracing the richness of "life" could only be fitting; rich in life, experience, love, laughter, words, friendships, time, compassion, and community. Ray grew up in simpler times, spending hours in the forest swinging the axe and running the saw with his brothers, doing odd jobs to feed family and friends. As a young man, he experienced the life of a traveller, hitchhiking throughout the United States and "paying his way" with over 60 different jobs: from furniture making, warehouse work, blueberry and potato picking, janitorial duties, furnace installations, plumbing, to a circus hand. Raymond’s adventures led to near death experiences in the mountains of Colorado to embracing humanity in the generosity of strangers in South Dakota. Raymond’s passion for travel continued in his older years, travelling to Rome, many trips to Ellsworth, Maine, Boston Red Sox games, Peggy’s Cove and summers in Prince Edward Island. He had a passion for sports, where you would have found him playing hockey and softball for Potlotek against his own communities of Eskasoni and We’koqma’q. He carried his commitment to community, volunteering for the Terry Fox Run and as a coach in hockey and for the young We’koqma’q Warriors Softball team. Raymond also served his community as a former councillor for the We’koqma’q Band Council. He loved canoeing, often competing during the Mi’kmaq Summer Games, and taking part in the epic 33-day journey of canoeing from Potlotek, Cape Breton to Montreal for Expo 67. With the new responsibilities of family, Ray continued to support his community as a coach in the sports he loved. At the age of 43, he would’ve put any young athlete to shame with the many medals and trophies he would win during the Mi’kmaq Summer Games. It was during these years Raymond participated in Uechi-ryu karate, where he reached the level of brown belt under the legendary Jim Maloney. For many years, Raymond worked as a bus driver and engaged the youth with his many stories and continued to be involved in school activities. For years, Raymond was the community choir director, directing his five daughters and niece with their angelic voices. As an entrepreneur, Ray would take over his father’s basket shop, "Googoo’s Baskets." Adding a small diner and pool hall, where he would let the local kids lock the store up for him, allowing them a safe space to socialize and have fun. Many years later he would open a cleaning business; "Raymond & Sons" and eventually become the owner of "Googoo’s Gas Bar." Unbeknownst to many, the leasing of Raymond’s land to We’koqma’q Fishery seeded the community’s success in the fishery operations. Raymond was a dedicated husband, loving father, and proud grandfather. He left a legacy strong in Mi’kmaq oral tradition. Ray was known for his stories. The many adventures he experienced in life as a young Mi’kmaw traveller, a hardworking and proud Mi’kmaw man, were shared in his tales of life, family, friendship. Regardless of the limitations of his health, Raymond always made time for reflecting in his quiet cabin in Mala, spending time with his grandchildren, he enjoyed playing with his grandkids, listening to music, and sharing life’s lessons with words of humour and love. Ray was preceded in death by his father, Charles Googoo, his mother, Mary Ann Googoo, his brothers Edward Googoo, Simon Googoo, James Googoo, his twin brother Ryan C Googoo and godson Paul Brennan Googoo. He is survived by his wife, Annie Isabel (Bernard); his sons, Christopher Googoo (Melody), Millbrook, Justin Googoo (Danielle), We’koqma’q; his daughters, Bernadette Googoo, We’koqma’q, Charlene Googoo (Ryan Jr), We’koqma’q, Claudine Googoo, We’koqma’q, Susan Raye Googoo, We’koqma’q and Dana Pierro (Hubert), We’koqma’q; sister, Anna Michael (Andrew Joe), We’koqma’q; He also leaves behind his loving grandchildren; Justice, Katerina, Konnor and Lucky Basque; Dalen, Michael and Shaylene Googoo; Jakob, Konrad and Kylee Phillips; Brennan, Madi and Brady Googoo; Sam and Noah Prosper, Autumn, Sage, Maya and Aiden Gould; Dante, Huey and Lorelei Joe-Pierro and Juelz and Demi Sylliboy; loving great grandchildren, Sophia Googoo-Paul, Chevéyo Googoo, Liluyé and Léia Millier, Artemi Pierro, Brody, Aeris and Garren ji’j Denny and Azia Francis; Godchild Kyle Julian and his loyal little friend Lyla Gould. and many nieces, great nieces, nephews and great nephews. Raymond’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. La France, Dr. Ritter, Dr. Thananmayooran, the staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and Inverness Consolidated Hospital, and special thanks to the dialysis ward, the nurses of the We’koqma’q Health Centre, your support is greatly appreciated, Wela’liek. Visitation will take place at the We’koqma’q Community Centre, 15 Reservation Rd, We’koqma’q, NS, commencing Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 4:00pm. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 21st, 2021 at 11:00 AM at the Blessed St. Kateri Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church with Father Conrad Edwards officiating. Burial in the parish cemetery. Dinner and salite to follow at the Wekoqmaq Mikmaq School, 80 Reservation Rd, Wekoqmaq. Flowers may be sent to the Centre and memorial donations can be made in Raymond’s name to The Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation. Memories and condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting: www.haverstocks.com Please have your vaccination card ready and with you when you are arriving for the visitation and funeral service. If you are exempt from having a vaccine, you will need to show proof from either a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner. Face masks and coverings are still required. Visitation Information Visitation Tuesday, October 19, 2021 Visitation Time After 4:00 pm Visitation Location We’koqma’q Community Centre, 15 Reservation Road, We’koqma’q Service Information Service Date Thursday, October 21, 2021 Service Time 11:00 am Service Location Blessed St. Kateri Parish, Waycobah First Nation Burial Information Burial Date Following the Funeral Mass Burial Location Blessed Kateri Parish Cemetery, Waycobah