KEVIN L. PYKE Tehatsitsiakwa

AKWESASNE – Kevin Louis Pyke, 67, affectionately known in the community as "Lolli-Pop Man", passed away suddenly Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at the home of his daughter, Hattie.

Tehatsitsiakwa was born on April 19, 1954 in Cornwall, the son of the late Joseph Harry and Margaret (Oakes) Pyke. He first attended Mohawk schools before attended and graduated from Salmon River Central School. He later attended Sterling School in Vermont and North Country Community College. A marriage to Mary Martin, blessing them with 3 children, later ending in divorce.

Kevin first worked as an ironworker, where he worked on the Seabrook and Nine Mile Point Power projects and in Utica. After returning back to Akwesasne, he was a gas pumper at Log Cabin. For over 20 years he delivered medicine within the community for Ononkwashona Pharmacy and more recently known as Proxim. He cherished his many visits with the elders and shut-ins within the community and his friendly smile was cherished by so many. Kevin enjoyed doing wood and stone carvings, whittling and tinkering around, and was a man of many talents. He was active in Tae Kwan Do, where he had achieved his Green Belt. In recent years, he had been maintaining his vineyards and enjoyed harvesting the rewards of the vineyard with Andy's Dream Wine. In addition, Kevin enjoyed hunting and actively contributed venison back to the Longhouse for ceremonies.

Kevin is survived by his daughters, Tasha Pyke (Benjamin Dluski) and Hattie Pyke-Point (Perry), both of Akwesasne; his grandchildren, Gary, Rayvaughn, Gatlin, and Angel; his longtime companion, Giselle Cook; his chosen sons, Stanley "Guy" Francis III, Lloyd "Jr" Benedict, Glenn Hill, Jr., Royce Printup, Wayne "Buttercup" Bearshield; and a special friend, Deb Mason.

He was also survived by his siblings, Vaughn and Diane Aldrich, Beverly Pyke, Margaret "Peggy" and Roger Thompson, Brenda Francis and Francis "Bucky" LaFrance, Robert Joseph Pyke, Gus and Hillary Pyke, and Patrick "Squiggy" and Michelle Pyke, all of Akwesasne; his chosen siblings, Marvin Smoke, Keith "Casey" Benedict, Charlie Jackson, Brian Cole, Guffy, Chris Barse, James Bowes, Sally Payne, Cindy and Matthew Laffin, and Pat Bowes; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, Gary Louis Pyke on March 2, 2002; siblings, Hattie Marie, John, Matthew John, David Alex "Roxy", and Larry Pyke.

Friends called at the home of his brother and sister-in-law, Gus and Hillary Pyke, beginning 1:00 PM Friday until 8:00 AM Sunday. Funeral services were held privately at the Mohawk Nation Longhouse with burial to follow.

Arrangements were under the care and guidance of the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena, where friends may share memories and offer condolences online at http://www.donaldsonfh.com.