Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 16/99) - Respected Sahtu elder Joe Blondin lost a year-long battle with cancer on Aug. 13.

He was 85 years old.

He is known to many as the father of MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew.

"He loved nature and he loved prospecting. He really enjoyed being out in the wild and he was known as an excellent hunter and trapper," said one of Blondin's surviving sons, Walter Blondin.

"He was (also) well- known for his music on the violin."

Though Norman Wells was Blondin's home community, he spent much of his time in Tulita, Deline and around the Sahtu.

He spent a long career before retiring from the Northern Transportation Company Ltd.

Blondin is survived by his wife Marie Therese, who lives at Aven Manor in Yellowknife, as well as by five children: Elsie, Walter, Ethel, Betty and Melvin.

He was predeceased by three more children: George, Charles and Allen.

Blondin is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

"Many people from Norman Wells have already sent some condolences," Walter said.

"He will be missed by his family."

A funeral will take place today, Aug. 16, at 3:30 p.m. at the St. Theresa of Avina Church in Tulita.