CONTOIS, Raymond Rene

On Nov 04 ,2021 we lost a most special two-spirit Michif by the official name of Raymond Rene Contois. Close friends knew him by his chosen name, Aaron Contois. Growing up in Lac La Biche he attended school as Raymond Bone. His Kookum called him Keeskut. When preforming drag the name was Connie. Whatever the name, wherever the place, he always made good friends who loved and cherished him.
I shall refer to him as Aaron.
Aaron was born in Lac La Biche on Feb 13, 1961. He loved that he was born on the day before Valentine’s. He liked to say he was born on the “eve of love”. His mother, Georgina Contois and father, Edward Bone taught him the Michif (Metis) language. His happiest memories from his tender years revolved around summer camping in the bush with his extended family. Everyone was busy hunting and fishing. He often talked about berry picking with his Kookum.
It is said that one day he made a sign “Bonesville” and placed it on the entrance road into a subdivision south of Lac La Biche on Hwy 36. The name stuck and the phone book still lists people here as from Bonetown.
As a teenager he set out on his own to meet new friends and have new adventures. After spending time in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa he returned to family and friends in Alberta.
Since 1986 he has lived with good friend and in later years caregiver, Al Skognes. They lived almost 30 years in Edmonton and for the last few years, out at Alberta Beach.
Aaron was working toward his dream of being a chef when his health began to fail. He fought hard to hold onto life. He always followed his doctor’s advice but as time went on his condition worsened. He never complained about his fate and was always cheerful and upbeat.
His battle came to an end on the evening of Nov 04, 2021. He slipped peacefully from life to afterlife while in Hospice care at Westview Hospital in Stony Plain. Blessed be his memory.
Aaron loved his cats and called them his babies. Whenever a cat died, he had them cremated and his wish was to have their ashes mixed with his and scattered at Astotin Lake in Elk Island National Park. This last request will be honored at a later date.
He is survived by siblings Herman(Leona) Cardinal, Wayne(Kay) Bone, Marilyn(Ned) Cardinal, Vivian Bone, Valerie Bone, Tammie Cummins, and Natalie Boucher.
Also many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews as well as a large extended family.
Predeceased by parents Georgina Patrick and Edward Bone, baby sister Jean and brother Jeff Bone, and brother-in-law Richard Benson.

Just Think!

Just think! Some night the stars will gleam
upon a cold grey stone,
and trace a name with silver beam,
and lo! Twill be your own.

This night is speeding on to greet
your epitaphic rhyme.
Your life is but a little beat
within the heart of time.

A little gain, a little pain,
a laugh lest you may moan,
a little blame, a little fame,
a star gleam on a stone.

-Robert Service-

Serenity Funeral Service
Spruce Grove
780 962 2749