A recording of the Funeral Mass can be found under the "Videos" tab of this web page.
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 as well as
his four legged companion, and best friend, Damian.
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); stepfather, David Bryan Francis.
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)