Brad Joseph Bonaparte

AKWESASNE/CATTARAUGUS – Mr. Brad Joseph Bonaparte, “Ahawenra:the”, age 48, a native of Akwesasne, passed away on Wednesday morning, June 16, 2010 at his home on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation after a courageous battle with cancer.

Brad was born January 7, 1962 in Syracuse the son of Rosemary Tarbell Bonaparte and Joseph Bonaparte.  He attended local schools and graduated from Potsdam State University.

He was currently the executive director of the Ronathahon:ni Cultural Centre.  He was also an EMT for the Mohawk Council and an Ironworker in several different places including Ground Zero and Nine Mile Point.  He was a traditional storyteller and an artist with several projects including those at the Mohawk School, the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino and at the Seneca-Alleghany Casino.

Brad is survived by his wife, Leslie; and their children, Yanenowi and Graham “Oshna”, and four additional children, John, Kari, and Zachary Bonaparte, and Nicole Traylor and her husband, Jon; his mother, Rosemary Tarbell Bonaparte; and his father, Joseph Bonaparte and his wife, Andrea; his siblings, Darren Bonaparte, Dawn Lazore and her husband, Mathew, Brittany Bonaparte, and Joseph Bonaparte and his wife, Becky; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Friends called at the home of Michael “Gus” Pyke, Pyke Road, Akwesasne, beginning Friday June 18, 2010 until a traditional funeral service held Sunday June 20, 2010 at the Longhouse.  Burial followed in Frogtown.

Arrangements were with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.

Memorial contributions may be made in Brad’s memory to the Akwesasne Cancer Support Group, Hospice of Erie County or Roswell Park Chemo Therapy Infusion Facility.

 Condolences may be made online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.