Walter Cabinboy Analoak Sr. Simigruk
Walter was born on the sandspits of Nome River to Arthur Cabinboy and Lottie (Tony) Cabinboy Analoak.
Walter grew up with his siblings Ida, Douglas, and Nancy on the sandspits and rivers of Nome, the Nome, Snake, and Penny.
Walt joined the Army in the mid-fifties; he helped construct watch-out shacks. Some of those shacks still stand to this day. Walt was proud and happy to join along with his cousin Orville Ahkinga.
Walt met his wife Gertrude (Seeganna) aka Gertie of King Island; they got married on September 24, 1961. They raised their children Margaret aka BunBun, Dolly, Wally Jr, twins Delores and Doreen, Michelle, and Christian Analoak in Anchorage. Also raising Nancy and adopting Walter (Wally) Analoak.
In the late sixties, Walt was a cab driver and went north to work at the slope as a heavy equipment operator. Walt and family moved to back to Nome, where Walt worked at Sitnasuaq Properties, Nanuaq, LLC with Jim Abbott and Louie Green Sr.
In the late seventies, Walt also worked for the State of Alaska as a secretary. He was a heavy equipment operator at Kougarok.
Walt loved summer adventures with his wife Gertie at Emily and Lincoln Milligrock’s campsite, where they enjoyed camping, boating, fishing, berry picking and hunting together. The families enjoyed get-togethers, sauna bathing and dinners.
In 1981 Walt and Gertie boarded the Muktuk boat to Little Diomede with their younger children, Michelle, Christian and Nancy, where they spent time with cousin Orville and family.
Walt was an enormously proud great-grandfather. He enjoyed being Papa and loved all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Walt would blissfully call Finley #39, as he had thirty-nine great-grandchildren. Although after Finley there were several other great-grandchildren born. Walt was a San Francisco 49er fan.
Walt told a family story of Cabinboy and Analoak surname. His great-grandfather was on a ship to San Francisco, during the Gold Rush in the 1900’s. The crew called him “Boy” because they could not say his Inupiaq name, and he cleaned the cabin. When they landed in San Francisco they introduced him as their Cabinboy. That name stuck until BIA declared Natives needed two names: first and last names. So, Walt, his mother Lottie, and a few of his family members changed their middle names to Cabinboy, and Analoak as their surname. His other family kept Cabinboy as their surname.
Walt lived in Anchorage since the 1990’s, until his passing on September 12, 2023. There were several of his grandchildren at his bedside, and who said a prayer for him.
The family will not have a service, as it was Walt’s wishes.
Walt’s ashes will be spread at his stomping grounds where he grew up, with family gathering at a later date.
Walt is proceeded in death by his wife Gertrude Ayiapa (Seeganna) Analoak, children Walter Arthur Analoak aka first-Wally, and Darlene Ann Milligrock aka Dolly. His father and mother Arthur Cabinboy and Lottie Cabinboy Analoak. His siblings Ida, Douglas and Nancy Cabinboy Analoak. His grandchildren Robin, Kevin, Roy, Jimmy Jr. and Eburlik.
Walt is survived by his children Margaret aka BunBun, twins Delores and Doreen, Michelle, Christian, Walter aka Wally-Boy, Nancy and his brother-in-law Stanley Seeganna of Nome. Many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and his cousin Orville Ahkinga.