WIIKWEMKOONG—A Little Current family is grieving the unexpected and sudden death of their father, grandfather and great-grandfather, 85-year-old Jim Still, a resident of the Wikwemikong Nursing Home, following a violent altercation that ultimately led to his death in Little Current hospital, according to an article by the Manitoulin Expositor.
According to a press release from the Wikwemikong Tribal Police, police responded to a call at the Wikwemikong Nursing Home on Saturday, August 26 in response to an incident that had happened during the evening of Friday, August 2.
Mr. Still had been taken to hospital in Little Current, reportedly due to a bad fall, sources close to The Expositor say, where medical staff alerted the family and police to the extent and violent nature of the senior citizen’s injuries. A police investigation ensued thereafter. Mr. Still died as a result of his injuries five days later, on Wednesday, August 30.
A post mortem examination was scheduled for yesterday, Tuesday, September 5, at the Office of the Chief Coroner – Ontario Forensic Pathology Service in Sudbury.
The Wikwemikong Tribal Police are continuing the investigation with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crime Unit from Sudbury and Forensic Identification Services under the direction of OPP Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Mark Zulinski.
Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, the Wikwemikong Tribal Police at 705-859-3141 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Tipsters may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
The following statement was sent out by the Wikwemikong Nursing Home following news of the police investigation: “On behalf of the staff and residents of Wikwemikong Nursing Home, we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Mr. Robert (Jim) Still. We have always, and will continue to strive to provide the best quality of care to the residents of the nursing home. We are fully cooperating with the authorities in the investigation of this incident and further conducting our own internal investigation in order to better understand what happened. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has been notified of the incident.”
Mr. Still, a Korean War veteran, was known for his gentle nature and his love of hockey, having played for Little Current during Manitoulin’s famed senior hockey days, even earning himself a spot on the Pittsburgh Pirates farm team.
A funeral service will be held for Mr. Still this Friday, September 8 at the Island Funeral Home with visitation starting at 11 am followed by a memorial service at 2 pm. Donations to the Manitoulin District Cenotaph Fund or the Manitoulin Health Centre Auxiliary are appreciated.
