MIDLAND, ONT.—Tears come easily to friends and family who gathered near a downtown restaurant Monday to remember a well-known native leader killed while defending his wife.

Andrew Mixemong, 59, lived in Midland with his wife Lorraine, but remained close to his roots serving as president of the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre.

On Friday evening as was his custom, Mixemong went to meet his wife who had just finished her shift at a local eatery.

Police say they were dispatched to a disturbance outside the eatery where a woman was apparently being harassed by two men upset they couldn’t be served since it was closed for the day.

Wayne Mixemong said his older brother intervened and things continued to escalate, resulting in Andrew Mixemong being beaten to death.

“My brother showed me he was a true warrior,” said Wayne, his eyes welling up with tears and his voice breaking. “My people would call him a Gigada, a true warrior. He really loved Lorraine so much. They had been together for 10 to 15 years and he died protecting her.”

Following the altercation, Mixemong was rushed to Georgian Bay General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Police are not releasing results of a post mortem examination conducted at the Chief Coroner’s office in Toronto on Sunday.

Midland Police Insp. Ron Wheeldon said Mixemong touched a lot of lives throughout town with his generous, gregarious nature.

“Andrew Mixemong was a kind and gentle man,” he said. “He was very kind-hearted.”

A makeshift memorial of flowers, sympathy cards hoping for a “safe journey” to the spirit world and coffee cups recognizing Andrew Mixemong’s love of java has been established in front of Dino’s Fresh Food Deli where Lorraine worked.

Many choked back tears as they hugged and remembered the man affectionately known as “Fudd,” a moniker related to Mixemong’s physical stature that some say resembled Elmer Fudd and his always sunny and optimistic disposition.

“We’re just devastated,” said Wayne Mixemong as he greeted a steady stream of well-wishers. “It’s just so senseless.”

Originally from Christian Island and a member of the Beausoleil First Nation, Andrew Mixemong is survived by his wife along with five brothers and four sisters. A traditional native burial service will be held in the coming days on Christian Island where a sacred fire has been burning since news of Mixemong’s death reached the nearby community.

Ed Mixemong said his brother’s death has led to a range of emotions for family and friends from sorrow to anger.

“Everybody’s sad, mad . . . in shock,” he said. “It’s just so senseless.”

Louise Vessair served on the friendship centre board with Mixemong.

“He was just such a gentle person and wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Vessair recalled. “And he could make you laugh. He was just always so happy.”

Margaret Kirdeikis said everyone on Christian Island feels a profound sense of loss with Mixemong’s passing.

“He was such a jolly person,” she said. “He was a small man, but he had a big, warm heart.”

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That gentleness is something Ron Yates remembers well. He and Mixemong worked together for eight years with a moving company.

“He was just such a nice man,” Yates said. “He was very caring about all things and people. He would catch an insect in a building and release it outside.”

Police have charged Jessy Richard Herlichka and Paul Thomas McClung, both 26 and from Midland with second-degree murder. McClung made his first appearance in Barrie provincial court Monday with Herlichka slated to appear Wednesday.

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