Francis, Tma, age 40, Paqtnkek
Mi’Kmaw Nation
The loss can be described only by the
strength of his presence in our lives:
The proud Chief, father, brother, and
friend.
The caring compassionate
Brother.
The uncle who always
visited.
The brother you could count
on.
The fighter for his
community.
The impulsive
shopper.
The hunter, drummer, taxi driver,
carpenter.
The best friend in good times and
bad.
The best person to share a funny story
with
The lover of Toronto Maple Leafs, take out
and sneakers.
The voice of fairness for the
community.
The name known in Antigonish County,
Mi’kmaki and beyond.
The one who was the Go Getter and who had
your back.
The kind and special
soul.
The Right Hand Man, your
advocate.
He was our
HE-MAN.
Tma Francis passed away suddenly at home in
Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation, on August 15, 2022. Tma was born at
St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish, NS on March 27, 1982 to
the late Thomas Wilfred Francis and Sarah (Sally) Johnson.
Tma is
survived by children; Antle Googoo, Paqtnkek and Keon Nevin,
Sipekne’katik, sisters; Tanya Francis (Patrick), Terena
Francis (Stefan), both of Paqtnkek, Lisa Paul (Will), Millbrook, and
Lorraine Basque of Paqtnkek; brothers; Jason Pictou(Shayla), of St.
Mary’s First Nation, and Charlie DeWilde of Grande Prairie,
Alberta; uncles; Patrick Johnson, Kennis Paul
and Michael Johnson all of Eskasoni and Aunt Patricia Coupland of
Ontario; Godchildren; Kayleigh Nevin, Edwin Julian, Xavier Googoo,
Amerah Marr, Aubrey Bernard, and Reaze Sylliboy. Nieces; Caitlin,
Sierra, Gema, Harlow, Scarlett, Sydney, Daisy and Kinsley;
nephews; Brendan, Aaron, Andre, Logan,
Dexter, Chad, Doyle and Maverick and Special Godmother Linda Julian
(Dutch), who were also Tma’s parents of
Paqtnkek.
There are so many names to mention when it
comes to his BROS but just to name a few; Byron Googoo, Dustin Pictou,
Jennifer Stevens, Leeanne Bernard, Dwayne Johnson, Martin &
Karla, Jerry Augustine, Eastern Star Singers drum group and his OG
crew. The family really appreciates the love you gave
him.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by
his uncles John Leroy Francis, Joseph Prosper, and Godfather, Andrew
Johnson. His maternal grandparents, Mary Margaret and Joseph Ruston
and paternal grandmother, Mary Ellen Francis (Prosper).
Tma was
honoured to be elected as Chief of Paqtnkek, he truly cared about all
the people in the community and put his whole heart into wanting the
community members of Paqtnkek to feel empowered. He was a great
listener, even when it wasn’t all positive, he ensured
people knew they were heard. Tma would advocate with genuine concern
for those that seeked his leadership and support, with equitable
intentions. He valued being guided by the elders, his peers, the
youth and community, always making sure no words were left unsaid. Tma
was at the front and centre for all of us and his heart and mind
always worked towards the growth of our community. He was the most
caring, and humble person and understood what it meant to make
mistakes.
He loved being your Chief, this is a role he took very
seriously. This role allowed him to grow as a person and as
a leader. He appreciated the community, the advice and ideas that you
all have shared but mostly the trust that you all had for him. Tma
believed that by working together and learning from each other would
allow us all to move forward as a
nation.
He sat on many committees:
CMM; KMKNO;Clearwater Executive Management
Committee; First Nation Finance Authority; First Nation Land
Management; Lead on Tax Commission; Chairman for Bayside Corporation;
Atlantic First Nation Water Authority; First Nation Market Housing
Fund; WMA member.
His hope for the community was for the
children and youth to flourish, and of course to be Toronto Maple Leaf
fans. He paid so much attention to the children/youth and made sure
they knew they were loved. He had numerous mini bros, adopted
nieces/nephews, adopted godchildren, and even few adopted grandbabies.
It truly does take a community to raise a child and Tma, since birth,
was so loved by many families because he had so many places that he
called home. The community made him the man he was; humble, tough and
overall blessed.
He had many interactions with people from
the time he was young whether that be at school, powwow trails, work,
and community and if there were times that you didn’t see
each other for some time, he always picked up where you left off.
There was no lost time with him at all when it came to his
friendships. It didn’t matter if you were his right-hand man
or someone who would come fold his laundry, he cherished and
appreciated the endless support from you.
He will be
brought home to Paqtnkek to his family home at Terena Joy’s,
8031 Highway #4 after 4 pm on
Saturday, August 20, 2022 for visitation. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August
22nd at
11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Church in
Heatherton, Reverend Andrew Gillies
presiding.
There will be a feast and salite to
celebrate his life at the Paqtnkek Gymnasium at 136 Afton Loop, Afton,
NS B0H 1A0 following mass. If any organizations wish to make any
monetary donations it can be sent to the Paqtnkek First Nation, 7
Dillon street, Afton, NS B0H-1A0 in memory of Chief Tma Francis. His
dream was to make a Youth Center a reality, and with your donations we
will make this possible.
Funeral
arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home,
Antigonish. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com
Lapjiw
Ksalultoqs~p (I will love you all forever)
1982 2022
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Tma Francis 1982 2022..
Décès pour la Ville: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia