INUVIK - There were few things Dennie Lennie loved more than taking time out of his busy days to go trout fishing on Yaya Lake, which bordered his beloved cabin.

Many times his good buddy and former fellow town councillor Vince Sharpe, who also had a cottage just up the road, would accompany him and the pair would often spend the day together.

Vince Sharpe, centre, shares a laugh and a hug with Jeannie and Edward Lennie in front of his boat, which is named after their late son Dennie. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"He loved it out here," said Sharpe. "He was out there all the time. He loved the land and fishing and hunting."

So when Lennie died five years ago, Sharpe decided to honour the memory of the former Inuvialuit community leader by refurbishing a 34-foot aluminum boat.

Sharpe salvaged the castaway vessel from a government auction for about $20,000. Since then he put money and many hours of labour into making the craft worthy of his good friend's name.

Apart from the hull, which is in its original form, everything has been upgraded, including a brand new diesel engine, cabin, and a fresh coat of paint. It's about to be fitted with a GPS and radar system.

With the blessing of Dennie's widow and his parents, Sharpe named the vessel MV Dennie Lennie. He unveiled his prized possession to applause during Inuvik's Inuvialuit Day celebration earlier this month. In attendance was Dennie's dad, Edward, who had nothing but praise for Sharpe's tribute.

"It makes me proud that my oldest son is recognized this much," said Lennie. "He definitely deserves the recognition. He's always worked so hard for the Inuvialuit. I have something to be very proud of."

A community-minded business man, Dennie owned Arctic Esso, served as chair and chief executive officer of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation for 10 years. He also served terms in Inuvik as a town councillor and deputy mayor, as well as chair of the Inuvik Community Corporation.

He left behind four children and his wife Barbara.

Though it's primarily a work boat, Sharpe intends to do some chartering on the river, hoping the vessel will serve as small reminder of the lasting contribution his former neighbour made to the area, and beyond.

"He had all kinds of good qualities," Sharpe said. "He was a good businessman. He was friendly; he was always smiling. He was a man of the people. He supported the people and he always stood up for them.

Sharpe figures Dennie would have loved the opportunity to climb aboard his namesake boat.

"I think he would have been proud," he said. "He would have loved it. He loved the water. He was like a fish."