Nick Allirkar Keene was born to George Nayir Jacob and his wife Sophie ‘Aqum’aq’ Bavilla on October 22, 1944 at Cuukvagtuliq and was raised in Nunapicuaq.
Nick along with his sister Natalia were adopted by Nastasia ‘Anaan’ and Bavilla ‘Tupagalria’ Keene when their mother Aqum’aq passes on.
Nick and Natalia’s natural younger brother John “Aqum’aq” was adopted by James and Elsie Active and was raised in Bethel also by Maggie and Adolph Lind. George Jacobs later married Lucy “Pasrata’ar” and so the family of brothers and sisters extended with John Chris, Eliza, Fannie and Chris Jacobs including Esther Green, and Moses Wassillie.
The family of brothers and sisters and cousins despite their difficult circumstances were bonded and grew up as ‘brothers and sisters’.
Nick attended Nunapitchuk BIA School and went on to Mt. Edgcumbe Boarding School where he graduated. He lived all his life in Nunapitchuk and enjoyed participating in subsistence activities sharing whatever he caught with family. He also commercial fished in Bristol Bay for some years and looked forward to it each summer.
On November 13, 2012 Nick retired from his job as a ‘clinic manager’ after 23 years of service at the Nunapitchuk Clinic.
Nick was also a board member at the Nunapitchuk Limited Corporation.
The family of Alliqaq would like to extend our heartfelt thank-you to Alexie and Natalia Berlin for opening their home and holding the wake there.
Quyana to the first responders, health aides, and Nunapitchuk Police for taking care of him, and to everyone for your support through your thoughts and prayers. May God Bless you all.
Nick is survived by his brothers and sisters Natalia/Alexie Berlin, John Active, Eliza Arnold Gunlik, Chris Jacobs, Esther Green and Moses Wassillie. Many cousins, nieces and nephews from immediate and extended families.
He was preceded in death by parents, adoptive parents Bavilla and Nastasia Keene, natural parents George and Sophie, and mother Lucy Jacobs, sisters and brothers Ivan Jacobs, Elena Chase and Nick Williams, Susie Sumi, Jerry Sumi, George Neck, nephew – Roy Nick Keene. Uncle Evan Bavilla, Aunts Julia Albright and Anna Bavilla Nick. His late aunts and uncles Alice Anvil, Luke Jacobs, Peter Jacobs, Moses Jacob and Martha Keene.
Nick passed on February 21, 2017 in Nunapitchuk. Allirkar’s 40-Day Feast will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the home of Natalia and Alexie Berlin in Nunapitchuk.
