Leonard Ingamulria Augustine Sr., 74, was born March 6th, 1950, to Willie and Eugenia Augustine at his ancestral home, Nunaqerraaq, AK, in the Black River area. He was the second son of nine children. Leonard passed away October 16, 2024, in Bethel, where he resided for 25 years.
After attending the Bureau of Indian Affairs school in Emmonak, Leonard went to Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, AK where he graduated in 1970.
Following high school, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany for three years. He shared that on the day he was due to be shipped out to Vietnam, while waiting at the airport his unit was notified that the war had ended, and his deployment was canceled. When he arrived home to Emmonak, our family was out berry picking not knowing of his return. Our mother was so relieved about his safe return!
Leonard and Winnie Buster were married in Emmonak at the Sacred Heart Church on May 14, 1976. They lived in Emmonak where they raised their three children.
Before leaving Emmonak, Leonard worked for the Emmonak Tribal Council in the housing department. In 1999, he moved to Bethel to work for the A.V.C.P. Regional Housing Authority as a Tribal Grants Coordinator. He enjoyed his work there, where one of his assignments was distribution of the Emergency Voucher Assistance Program serving many people throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Leonard was due to officially retire in December.
Leonard is survived by his sons Andronic, Leonard “Jay” Jr., Victor and Eric (adopted to family); grandchildren: Andronic Jr., Aries, Ethan, Daralynn, Annisia, Jordyn, Kade, great-granddaughter Syriah, Lisa, Calvin, Zachary, Angel Lisarose, Leonard III, Colton, Kaitlyn, Ashlyn, Ricki, Victor Jr., Amaris, Angelyn, Adrian, Sierra, Augustine “Gus”, and great-grandson Kier. He also leaves brothers and sisters: Agnes Hoffman, Joseph Augustine, Charlie Augustine, Emily Crane, Mary Richmond, and Albina Augustine.
Leonard is preceded in death by his wife, Winnie, daughters Lisa Lulu and Larisha Kathryn; parents Willie and Eugenia Augustine and sister Charlotte Phillip.
Quyanaqvaa cakneq ircaqumtenek / Thank you very much from our hearts for these organizations and caring people who contributed and assisted: A.V.C.P. Regional Housing Authority, Yukon Delta Fisheries Development Association, Emmonak Corporation, ANICA, Alaska Commercial Company, City of Emmonak and Freddie Immamak for help with transportation and repairing stairway, Emmonak Tribal Council, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Emmonak Sacred Heart Catholic Church, casket, cross and outer box makers – Lanny Oktoyak, John Bird, Herman Hootch, Howard Westlock, Jr. and Thomas Oktoyak, men who bathed and clothed Leonard, and all of you who came to support by your loving presence and the food that you took the time to prepare/share food that we so enjoyed at our time of need.
Final Resting Place: Emmonak, AK
