Michael Eugene McGuire (Sardine) passed away peacefully at Bethammi Nursing Home on the evening of July 5, 2017 after only a very short stay of a month in long term care, he spent his last day with his wife, Linda McGuire, having lunch and dinner talking and laughing, he spoke of brother Robert “Ping” Donio, he then went to sleep and peacefully passed.
Michael was 72 years old, born September 4th, 1944 to Patrick McGuire (Baba) & Annie McGuire (LeGarde); he is the fifth child of sixteen siblings in his family, he was born in Beardmore, Ontario close to his home of MacDiarmid Metis Settlement located on the shores of Lake Nipigon.
Michael was a proud Metis man of Ojibwa and Irish decent. He lived a traditional life as a Metis man of Canada living off the land, fishing, setting nets, blueberry picking, hunting, known for his story telling and learning the old ways of his ancestors, he also worked in the bush most his life (pulp cutting at one point) before starting his political career in the 1960's; it is then that Michael and group of other Metis peoples including his father Patrick McGuire fought for the rights of non-status Aboriginals and Metis people of Ontario; this goal started the organization Lake Nipigon Metis Association formed to the Ontario Metis and Non-Status Organization that lead to become what is now known as the Ontario Metis Aboriginal Association in the 1980's, where their goal was to represent the Aboriginals and Metis people of Ontario who were considered non-status by the Government of Canada by fighting to end the racism and prejudice in the Indian Act. Michael McGuire took part in seeing that Metis people were included in the 1982 Charter of Rights & Freedoms of Canada where their inherent rights were protected as Indigenous peoples. Michael's legacy continues still today with ever growing members supporting the cause together with all peoples of Canada to move forward in a progressive manner. His contribution to our history and the history of Canada is rich and his passing is an impact to be felt across our treaty areas. He passed on wisdom to his children including the children who adopted him as a father.
Michael will be sadly missed by his wife Linda McGuire (King), his children; Eugenie (Bubsy), Michelle, Rachel (Cheeksy), Elliot, Mahogany and Veronica (Kaj Erickson), his grandchildren Dustin, Dakota, Avery, Aliah, Raeanne, Austyn, Metis, and Joshua, and his great grandchildren, Kitana & Cory, Sophia & Aria, Jasmine, Chanel, as well as his God daughter Cora-Lee, McGuire-Cyrette, whom he saw as his daughter and walked her down the aisle at her wedding.
He was predeceased by his father Patrick, mother Annie, his second mother Auntie Amelia McGuire Donio who helped nurse him, his siblings, Nathaniel (Nate/brother), George (brother), Julia (sister), Pamala Bertin (peemee/sister) and Robert Donio (Ping); his nephews Mutt & Fatman, who he took under his wing before their passing.
He is survived by his siblings Elsie Hagar, Agnes Harrison, Patrick McGuire Sr (Sonny-Boy), Maureen Pelletier, Russell McGuire, Henry McGuire, Daniel McGuire, Kathleen Moses, Cecilia Airns, Sullivan McGuire and Dr. Patricia McGuire and numerous cousins of nearly 6 generations including Michael Toset, Eugene LeFrancious (Bubby) and many nieces, nephews.
There will be a viewing for close family & friends at Harborview Funeral Home on Saturday, July 8th, 2017 at 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. The Funeral Services are on Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 at 1:00 pm at St. Ann's church in the Fort William First Nation, with reception to follow right after at St. Ann's then the burial to follow at the Sunset Memorial Gardens.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to (ONWA) Ontario Native Women's Associations' Charitable Foundation in honour of his mother's Annie McGuire' Memorial Scholarship.
The sacred fire was lit on the evening of his passing. His pallbearers are his grandson, Austin McGuire, step son, Elliot Thompson, Robert Donio-Bonear, Patty McGuire-Hagar, Eugene Bubby LeFrancious, & Freddy Goodman. He believed that hard work pays off; he would say music calms the beast, and he believed in the second plane.
