Obituary of Thomas Patrick Meguinis

July 27, 2023 - Tsuut'ina Nation, Alberta

With great love and pride, we celebrate the long, vibrant, and interesting life of our patriarch Thomas “Mike” Meguinis. He passed peacefully at his home on the Tsuut’ina Nation.

He joined his loving wife Emelia, his son Harvey, his daughter Louise, his grandchildren, Vincent, and Cherie Lou, his great grandson Dillon; his beloved mother Bessie, his father Samuel Large and all his extended family that predeceased him. We can only imagine the reunion he is having.

Mike lived a remarkable life, he was the eldest Tsuut’ina, he was a respected Elder and knowledge keeper.

He was the first Chief of Police, and it is his dedication and contribution that would become the foundation of the Tsuut’ina Police Services.

Mike was a tipi holder for the Calgary Stampede and was involved from the days when they would transport their tipis in horse and wagon. He was even a Golden Glove fighter; his most notable fight was with a Mikey Walker from New York. Some of the Elders remember listening to him fight on the radio.

Mike was a bronc rider and was a true cowboy. Mike had a distinct look, and he loved his “Ta Boots” and his cowboy hat, even making them a part of his police uniform, and it worked.

Mike and his wife adopted many children. He considered Chief Roy Whitney their son, Penny Roan their daughter and many others too numerous to count. If Mike and Emelia ever called you their own, you were, and they truly loved you all.

Mike was a well-known composer of powwow songs. He started the Bullhead Powwow Youth Club and advocated for the preservation of language, culture, and ceremony.

Mike will be truly missed by the Tsuut’ina Nation. He is survived by his son Michael (Violet), his daughter Norma (Earl), his son David (Jewel), his daughters-in-law, Shirley, and Jackie; and all of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. The family wishes to acknowledge the whole Tsuut’ina Nation and their extended families, whom he loved, his Tsuut’ina family, the Crowchild, Onespot, Starlight, Eagletail, Big Plume, Jacobs, Rowan, and Pipestem families. His extended in-laws, the Cutknifes, Lightnings, Littlechilds, Okeymows, Yellowbirds, Roans, and many others he was close to. His Saddle Lake family, the Large family the O'Chiese family on his grandpa Mark Crowchild's side. As well as all of his adopted families.

Mike spoke fondly of his siblings, Willie, Phillip, Mary-Jane, Sarah, Walter, Frank, Wilfred, and Eliza.

We thank you all and ask for your continued prayers as we send him home.

“It doesn’t matter, we gotta keeper going.”

Wake Services will be held at the residence of Mike Meguinis (55 Weaselhead Road, Tsuut’ina Nation, AB) on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. and Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

Funeral Services will be held at Chief Jim Starlight Field House (7 Chiefs Sportsplex) (19 Bullhead Road, Tsuut’ina Nation, AB) on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Tsuut'ina Cemetery (Tsuut’ina Nation, AB). Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Thomas Meguinis, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Click Here to View Thomas Meguinis' Memorial Card