Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 12/05) - If Ben Nind had one final chance to talk with his friend John Seagrave, he would thank him for his laughter, warmth and kindness.

"And I would say thanks for his ability to always see the brighter side of things," Nind said.

John Seagrave

John Seagrave died unexpectedly on Oct. 8, leaving friends and family shocked and saddened. He was 46.

Seagrave is survived by his wife Lisa and five children: Luke, 21, Josh, 19, Anna, 22 months, Josephine, 10 weeks, and foster daughter Phoebe, 44.

A memorial service will be held October 22 in Yellowknife.

"John's heart was as big as his love for his family and his friends and the North," Nind said.

Born in Toronto in 1959, Seagrave worked in various remote northern outposts for the Hudson's Bay Co. before moving to Yellowknife in 1992 with his wife Lisa. The couple purchased and ran the Gallery of the Midnight Sun.

The northern adventures provided material for Seagrave's book "The Hudson's Bay Boy: From Cabbagetown to Rupert's Land."

With Nind's help, the stories of life in the North became a Stuck in a Snowbank Theatre production last year.

"I got to meet John through his stories. We became close with the writing of The Hudson's Bay Boy," Nind said.

He described Seagrave's approach to life as "nothing that could ever not be done."

"He was always able to find a sense of humour in a tough situation," he said.

Nind will always remember one Seagrave's great lines.

"He said 'people never pass away, they are always remembered in stories and that is the power of stories.'"

"I think John had a dual role. Both of somebody who affected an awful lot of lives with his big heart but also somebody who was able to make not only his own life shine, but also all of those who came in contact with him shine through his stories. I don't think he will ever be gone. He will continue to live in people's hearts and minds."

Graeme Dargo said he first met Seagrave during his years with the Hudson's Bay Company. After he came to Canada from Scotland, Dargo said Seagrave took him under his wing and taught him "everything from Canadian currency to describing day-to-day things I just wasn't used to."

He said he will remember Seagrave as "lots of fun".

"He was quite a character and always had something funny to say. I remember being in fits of laughter at some of his antics when we were younger.

Doug Rankin, another former Hudson's Bay employee, was shocked to learn of Seagrave's passing. "He was a good guy. He was always thinking of others and on the business side of things, he was always big on customer service," Rankin said.