Members of the West Shore turned out to pay their final respects to Esquimalt Nation Chief Andy Thomas, who passed away suddenly last weekend.

Firefighters with the View Royal Fire Department and officers with the West Shore RCMP lined the intersection of Thomas and Admirals roads, as ThomasB次元官网网址� body was returned to the community Wednesday afternoon.

Const. Cole Brewer with the West Shore RCMP worked with Thomas for several years as police liaison to the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

B次元官网网址淭he West Shore RCMP has a really good working relationship with Esquimalt Nation, specifically with Chief Thomas,B次元官网网址� Brewer said. B次元官网网址淐hief Thomas was a man about personal relationships and trust, that was very important to him. He had a fantastic sense of humour. He cared a lot about people, his community and his family.B次元官网网址�

RELATED: Esquimalt Nation loses hereditary Chief Any Thomas

For 47 years, Chief Andy B次元官网网址� as he was often referred to B次元官网网址� led the people of the Esquimalt Nation, before he died suddenly at his home early on Saturday, April 7.

Born and raised on Esquimalt Nation lands, Thomas, 70, helped create the Assembly of First Nations and served on the executive of the First Nations of South Island Tribal Council. A tireless advocate for Indigenous rights, Thomas helped establish Salish Sea Industrial Services Ltd. to provide training and employment opportunities for his nation.

In 2007, he was honoured with the ChancellorB次元官网网址檚 Community Recognition Award from Royal Roads for his work to make Esquimalt Nation prosper.

View Royal Fire Chief Paul Hurst has known Thomas for the past 35 years.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a big loss for the Nation and the community as a whole. WeB次元官网网址檝e worked with Chief Thomas for many, many years,B次元官网网址� said Hurst, who had lunch with Thomas last week.

B次元官网网址淲e had an honest relationship. One thing about Chief Thomas is he always spoke his mind and you knew where he stood. He didnB次元官网网址檛 pull any punches. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what I enjoyed about the relationship with Andy is we could talk quite candidly and express our own views and opinions on a series of things. He will be missed.B次元官网网址�

Thomas is survived by his wife Mary Anne, their children, Maureen, Ed, Mike, Matthew, Louie, Andrew and Mary Anne Jr., as well as grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

B次元官网网址� With files from Kristyn Anthony

Like us on and follow us on

kendra.wong@goldstreamgazette.com