Solomon "Espo" Constant

Solomon David passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 16, 2025 with his loving wife Lena, his children, brothers, sister and other family members by his bedside at his residence in Big Eddy, at the age of 79 years old.

Solomon David was born on Wednesday, January 9, 1946 to Charlie T. and Blanche Constant. He was the second oldest in a family of 12 children.  He was given his nickname “Pique” which means gum in Cree.  There is a story of how he got this nickname.

Pique spent his growing up years in Big Eddy where he was taught the traditional way of life by his parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts.  He had hunting, trapping, harvesting and picking skills.

Pique received his education at the Big Eddy Indian Day School and at The Pas Reserve Indian Day School.  He chose to leave his schooling at age 16.  His parents told him to find a job and this is when his working experiences began.  He entered the work force with the CNR Extra gang where he travelled along the Hudson Bay line.  He worked for River Sawmills, and at the various hydro dams that were constructed by Manitoba Hydro-Jenpeg, Limestone.  He worked for OCN in housing construction, sawmill, truck driver and security guard at Egg Lake.  In all the jobs he held, he was very committed to do his best.

At the age of 58, he decided to go back to school.  He enrolled at the Kelsey Learning Centre and went to school at UCN.  He excelled in his studies especially Math.  He would sit for hours doing his homework and never  missed a day.  He graduated in June 2005.

The game of soccer was a passion in the family.  His father Charlie T played for the Old Timers in the “Bowl”.  All his sons would follow in his footsteps and they all played for the Big Eddy Warriors soccer team.  Solomon, in turn, would teach his son Dino.  They were all great soccer players.

The Boston Bruins was his hockey team; his favourite hockey player was Phil Esposito.  This is when he received his nickname “Espo”.

He loved to spent time at the Red Rock trap line, many happy hours were spent with family and friends.  This is where he also earned another nickname “Eldorado Chief”.  His last wish was to spent some time out there during the last year of his life.  We tried so hard to get there but it was never meant to be.

He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Lena; chapan Camron; his children Teresa, Rhonda, Cynthia (Bernell), Silas, Ramona, Selena (Darrell) and Jen (Simon); adopted sons Sam Constant and Morris Crane, step sons Jeremy and Neal Cook; siblings Helen Villeneuve, John, Benson, Rick (Diane), Debbie, Maureen and special friend Elizabeth Michelle.  He is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren that total over 100; numerous nieces and nephews.  Apologies if any relatives are missed as there are too many to mention.

He was predeceased by his parents Charlie T and Blanche Constant, paternal grandparents Silas and Christie Constant; step paternal grandmother Bella Constant; maternal grandparents David and Helen Cook, first wife Ruth Crane, second wife Diane George, siblings Sidney, Leslie and Raymond “Lem” Constant, Ida Rose Constant, Fabian Constant; sons Dino and Philip Constant, stepson Tom Cook, Personius, Sayese and Cook aunts and uncles, brother-in-law Jim Smith; cousins Greg “Sully” Cochrane.  Again, there are too many other relatives to mention.