Mr. Howard Chaboyer of Nipigon passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
Howard was truly one of a kind. They broke the mold when they made him. Stubborn, strong, resourceful, fiercely independent, and endlessly entertaining, he lived life entirely on his own terms. Life taught him to survive, to be tough, and to carry on no matter what. Those who knew him best understood that beneath his gruff exterior was a man whose actions often spoke louder than his words.
The outdoors was where Howard found peace. After he retired he spent most days in the bush cutting trails, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, smelt fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. He took tremendous pride in his physical health and was especially proud that he remained active well into his mid-eighties. No matter the season, he always had several backpacks packed and ready to go, each one prepared for a different adventure.
Howard had a remarkable knack for fixing almost anything. A true MacGyver, he could repair snowshoes, backpacks, bicycles or just about any piece of gear using bits and pieces most people would have thrown away.
In later years, you could find him holding court at the famous “BS Table” at the Nipigon Marina. During the summer, he rarely missed his Robin’s coffee and a visit with his BS table buddies. Around that special table built for the regulars, the conversations were endless. Howard always knew the weather before the forecast, the latest town gossip, and, perhaps most importantly, where to find the cheapest gas prices up town.
Some people leave behind a quiet legacy. Howard left behind stories, stories that will be told for generations, usually with a laugh, a shake of the head, and someone saying, “Only Howard…”Among his family, Howard was something of a legend. He was a “colourful” storyteller who always wore dark sunglasses. He loved old honky-tonk music, drove well-loved, second-hand vans, and proudly shopped for outdoor gear at Walmart or the local thrift store. A good bargain was something to celebrate.
He also had a vocabulary all his own. His famous sayings “piss poor, no good,” “doe head,” “well geez” and “stay home, the price of gas is expensive”, and a few choice swear words became part of family folklore. Nearly every story began with, “You know…” and if Howard had an opinion, you were most certainly going to hear it. As far as he was concerned, he was always right. He had little patience for how much the world has changed and could always be counted on to voice his thoughts about “computerized vehicles”, the cost of groceries, government cuts, and the state of local highway snow removal.
Howard’s life was not without hardship. He was, above all else, a survivor. The experiences that shaped him also shaped the way he loved. While he may not always have found the words, he loved his family deeply in the only way he knew how. His greatest pride was becoming a Mishomis. His grandchildren were the light of his life. They taught him to love unconditionally and brought him great joy.
Howard fought until his very last day on this earth, with the same fierce determination that carried him through every chapter of his life.
He leaves behind a son, his daughters, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his sister, nieces, a special hockey playing great-niece, great-nephews, cousins, extended family, and many friends.
Rest easy, Dad. I hope you spend lots of time near the water, eat countless turkey dinners with apple pie and ice cream and drive your van wherever you want.
A special thank you and gratitude goes out to the nurses of The Nipigon District Hospital who took care of Howie during his last days. You were amazing with him and truly made a difference to us all. A thank you goes out to Dr. Al-Katari, his nurse and the pharmacists at Regional Cancer Care Northwest. The care and support you provided was above and beyond.
Donations can be made to the Nipigon District Memorial Hospital, Palliative Care.
A celebration of life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at the Nipigon Legion, Branch 32 – 102 5th St, Nipigon.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
