CLYDE V. CREE

HOGANSBURG - Clyde V. Cree, 77, of 53 Snye Road, peacefully passed away on Monday morning, March 11, 2019 at Elderwood of Uihlein Lake Placid.

Clyde was born on December 26, 1941 in Akwesasne, son of the late Paul and Cecelia Sunday Cree. He attended Mohawk School in Hogansburg and later attended Snye School. On December 28, 1963, he married Yvonne C. Lazore at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Francis Arsenault officiating.

He joined the Ironworkers Local #440 Utica on August 1, 1957. In 1960, he started as a journeyman and continued until his retirement on June 1, 1994. Throughout his ironworking career he worked with and at various companies including American Bridge, the Steel Mill in Buffalo, the George Washington Bridge in New York City, the Olympic Center in Montreal, Alcoa, and various locations in Philadelphia. Clyde was instrumental in the education of the young ironworkers. He taught many, and many looked to him for guidance. In 2002, he was inducted as an honorary member of Local #440. In addition to his ironwork, he worked at the family business, Cree's Rentals and Storage, as well as Clyde & Jake's Small Engine Repair and at HydroYatch of Akwesasne.

In 1978, he joined the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department, Station 3 in Tsi Snaihne, serving his community for a little over a year and more recently was a member the Akwesasne Death Benefits Group. Throughout his life he enjoyed sports, having played for the Snye Bums Softball, the Snye Tug-o-War Team, Gardner's Shuffleboard Team, and was an avid Ottawa Senators Hockey fan. He also would have been found in the stands at most of the sporting events for his grandchildren. Clyde was also one of the founding members of the Mohawk Pathfinders Snowmobile Club, which was later restored by his daughter Valerie and her husband Barney.

Clyde also cherished his heritage as he learned the skill of basketmaking, specializing in pack baskets. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, having netted sturgeons with Jiggy Sunday, catching bullhead for feeds that would benefit the Fire Department, trapping muskrats and selling the pelts. His knowledge and friendship will be greatly missed by many.

Clyde is survived by his wife, Yvonne; his children and their spouses, Valerie and Barney, Cheryl, Clyde Jr., and Kenneth J. and Brianna, all of Akwesasne; his grandchildren, Jessica (Lawrence), Jeremy (Elyse), Carlito (Vanessa), Ashleigh and Austin, Asia, Keisha (Craig), Autumn (Kaienkwirekowa), Corin (Brandon), Katelynn (Ross), Lexi and Rylan, Kahiio (Malekka), Logan, Cecelia, Abigail, and Cillian; and his great grandchildren, Isaiah, Kollin, Sophia, Lila, Niko, Cam, Kaleb, Ella Rain, Atticus, and Tallulah; his sisters, Rose Marie Sunday, Doris Cree, and Debbie Cree, all of Akwesasne; his brother, Paul Craig (Carlene) of Akwesasne and a chosen brother, Kevin Buckshot of Akwesasne.

Clyde is also survived by his wife's siblings, Charles, Richard, Andrew, Donald, Francis, Veronica, Kenneth, Harvey, and Patty; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings, Lillian, Doris Mary, Raymond, Francis, Thomas, Myrna, Joyce, Jennifer, Joseph "Peanut" and Cynthia. He was also predeceased by his wife's siblings, Mose and Alfred "Brian" Laffin and Esther Canadien; and chosen sons, Kim Boy Edwards and Thomas "Atonwah" Sunday.

Friends may call at Akwesasne Homemakers beginning Thursday at 12 noon until the time of his funeral service on Friday at 2:00 PM, with Rev. Jerome Pastores officiating.

At the request of the family, please omit flowers, those wishing to honor Clyde may bring a basket to display during his services.

Memorial donations may be made in Clyde's memory to the Akwesasne Boys and Girls Club.

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