Obituary of T.J. Tanner

It is with deep sadness that my family informs you of the sudden passing of T.J. Tanner.  On May 20, 2023, at the age of 40, T. J’s family lost a son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

He is predeceased by his father Lawrence (Hawkie) Tanner; grandparents, the late Senator Edwin Pelletier, Lucy Pelletier (Acoose), Louis Henry, Marybelle Tanner; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

He is survived by his loving mother Valerie Tanner; sisters Charity Gorley (Pelletier), Tamara Tanner (Damian Lemaigre), Heather Kaysawaysemat; brother Garth Kaysawaysemat (Maggie Taypotat); nieces and nephews, Micheal Pelletier, Marcus Buffalo, Rose Delorme, Garth Jr., Kylie, Cheyanne, Madison, Tyrese, Credence, Faye, Shaylah, Emma, Gorvin, Molly, Raelynn, Wynonna, Summerrain, Autumnrain, Chance, Mistyrain.  He is also survived by his uncle’s Gordon Pelletier (Alma), Walter Pelletier (Joyce); Aunts, Shirley Pelletier, Rudy Tanner (Debbie), Dean Tanner (Shelley); great uncle Kenny Pelletier (Barb) and many cousins and many friends.

T.J. was born in Regina on July 21, 1982.  Most of his school years were at Morningstar Christian Academy and Martin Collegiate.  He also attended SIAST Wascana Campus for a time and went on to the First Nations University of Canada where he was enrolled in Pre-journalism.

T.J. was a writer, and he was good at it.  He was always writing poems, his thoughts on life, the state of the world and many other topics.  He cared about the environment and liked to restore old furniture.  He had a goal, to one day do it on a more professional level.  He loved photography.  He took many pictures of people, friends, and nature, and he loved taking his own picture.  He would edit them beautifully and wanted to develop them into a business.

T.J. was very creative, with many dreams and goals.  He was a very loving person, generous, open, caring, and friendly.  He was mostly upbeat, and he had a few grouchy moments which resulted in him receiving the nickname “Crappy" from his sister Tamara!

T.J. will be remembered fondly by his family and friends.  He is especially missed by a good friend Hitler his cat, whom he had since August of 2016.  He fondly called him “Baby”.  He is still waiting for him to come home!