Kaiyiitssaiyokai MR. TOM HOLY SINGER, beloved husband of Mrs. Phyllis Fox of Cardston, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children and family at the Cardston Hospital on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at the age of 85 years. Tom was born on March 8, 1922 in the Bull Horn area on the Blood Indian Reserve to the late Frank Holy Singer and Mary Wells. His early school days were spent at the St. Mary’s Indian Residential School. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in the Canadian Army. Stories were told about his marching through Italy, France, Belgium and Holland as a gunner WWII. Tom enjoyed his great outdoor adventure and also the peace and tranquility that nature offered him.. One of his favorite sports was hunting and fishing with his buddies and spent many hours and days in the wilderness. He always shared his catch with his family, friends and neighbors. In his younger days he enjoyed riding his horse visiting relatives and friends. He was also dedicated to supporting recreational sports and coached softball and baseball teams. He rarely missed the Kainai Chiefs hockey games when the Foothills Hockey League was the major attraction in Southern Alberta. He supported his son’s hockey games and later followed his grandchildren, which gave him the right to criticize the games. He also traveled far to watch his family participate in the sport of rodeo. Being adventurous he told many stories of his tries at different events. He also traveled many miles enjoying his participation in pow-wows throughout Alberta and the United States. Tom took great pleasure in just driving and cruising through the town of Cardston that his family teased him and called him Tom Cruise. He also enjoyed going to bingo with Phyllis and his special sister Pauline Three Persons. The three were known to have disagreements about each others’ driving abilities as they traveled together. Up to his last days of driving, Tom looked forward to bringing his grandchildren, Willie, Casey and Tera to hockey practice and sometimes to their games. Tom had a special buddy relationship with his seven year old grandson, Kagan, who lived with him and they took care of each other in their own special ways - there was hardly a day that they were not together, in his heart he also had his away from home grandchildren Jacy and Brett Door from Siksika. Tom’s strong beliefs in the importance of spirituality as his pillar of strength included his family and never left out the community in his daily prayers. His commitment to dedicating his life as a spiritual leader and member of a Sacred Society began in 1972. He was a member of the Sacred Horn Society and held two sacred bundles for fourteen years. He transferred his sacred bundles in 1984, along with his knowledge and teachings to many young Horn society members, who will remember him as a respectable man of integrity with his wisdom. Tom was humble and respected all religious institutions and practices.. He was constantly encouraging the importance of prayer and compassion. Tom was a friend to everyone and would willingly give his last dollar to those in need. He always had many stories to share which usually ended with good advise and guidance. Tom was a hard worker and took pride in how he performed his duties in the many trades that he possessed. He earned his living by working throughout Alberta and Montana as a ranch hand, on the railroads; farming and the oil industry. Tom was especially skilled in carpentry and often spoke of his experiences with Weston Construction on the Blood Reserve. Tom also worked for Blood Tribe Public Works with the Road Crew; Blood Tribe Housing and St. Mary’s School with the Building Maintenance Department.. He often spoke of his hard laboring jobs as examples of not having a good education and strongly advised and encouraged higher education to make one’s life easier. He believed that everyone should reach to the highest of their potential. Tom was well known and respected for his wisdom and teachings. In his own gentle manner, he was stern and straight forward in his words as he demonstrated this with his loud voice. He was instrumental as an Elder, Advisor and participated in various traditional historical events. He especially took pride and spoke of his involvement in the opening of BTAP and the naming ceremony of the project and the former Chief Roy Fox - ‘Maakiinima’ . He took great pride in his Blackfoot traditional ways and was one of the original members that formed the Magpie Society. He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him as Uncle Tom; Papa; Brother, Buddy; Relative; Friend; Elder; Teacher; community member and mostly as a companion, dad and grandpa. Tom is survived by his wife Phyllis. his children: Snyder(Ann)Fox, Tiger(Kelly) Fox, Penny(Danny) Many Fingers, Bubbles(Rod) White Quills, Pansi(Wilfred) Yellow Wings, Geraldine(Laurie) Across The Mountain, Mary Ann Holy Singer, Bernadine Holy Singer, Thomas(Rosalie) Holy Singer, Shirley (Barnabus) Tall Man, Bernice & Shirley from Browning MT. His Brother: Dennis (Mavis) Chief Moon. His Sisters: Julia Morgan, Lynda Bruised Head, Claudia Sugai, Helen Rogers , Mona Chief Moon, Myra Chief Moon. His Aunts: Beauty Wells, Rosaline Many Guns & Harriet Wells. Numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren and nieces & nephews too numerous to mention. In his lifetime with Phyllis, Tom established a very good and special relationship with each and every one of his brothers and sisters in-law including their children and grandchildren. Some of them have gone home ahead of him but good memories without regrets will be treasured by Jonas(Annie) Fox; Rosaline Crowshoe; Joyce First Rider; Dolly Creighton; Pat (Rose) Fox, Larry (Carrie) Fox; Eugene Creighton; Wilfred Soop; Josie Russell-Madle. Tom was predeceased by his parents Frank Holy Singer and Mary Wells/Chief Moon, his brother Leo Chief Moon, his sisters Ella Chief Moon, Rose Chief Moon and Grace Chief Moon. A Wake Service will be held at WHITE CALF CHAPEL, Standoff on Sunday, December 2, 2007 from 6:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. A Funeral Service will be held at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, Blood Reserve on Monday, December 3, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. Interment to follow at the Blood Band Cemetery, Blood Reserve.