Michael Gregory Tatusko of Hamilton, Montana, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 at the age of 84. He was born in Orange, New Jersey on November 25th, 1940, the son of Mr. Michael Tatusko and Mrs. Mary (Podobinski)Tatusko. He attended the Morristown Preparatory School for Boys and was a graduate of Jonathan Dayton High School. He attended the Philadelphia College of Art.
He owned a business in Millburn, New Jersey prior to relocating his family to Maine where he was the proprietor of a restaurant and bar. Mike then settled in Hamilton, Montana. His longtime successful Rainbow Bar was a filming location of the television series “Yellowstone” and many celebrities frequent there. However, he preferred his friendships with the local community of Hamilton. He was a parishioner of Saint Francis Catholic Church.
Mike was an avid outdoorsman and a proud member of the National Rifle Association. His fondest days were spent in the quiet pursuit of nature, whether waiting for a bite of a fish or tracking a deer in the woods. His lifelong passion for hunting and fishing was not a hobby, but a way of life that connected him deeply to nature. It shaped him into the man he was-patient, resilient, and always happiest with a bow, fishing rod or a rifle in his hand. He instilled the love of the outdoors in his children and grandchildren. They were his joy and he was their Pop Pop.
Mike was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife, Jo Tatusko; sister, Sandra Teach (Thomas); former wife, Mae Tatusko; daughter, Michele Schmidt (Kendal); son, Michael Tatusko (Mary); son, Mark Tatusko (Amy); grandchildren Brendan Slattery (Marissa), Connor Slattery, John Tatusko (Anna), Kathleen Hartnett (Cameron), Reid Tatusko, Delaney Tatusko; great-grandson Kellan Slattery. Relatives and friends are invited to his Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 25th from 2 to 4 p.m., located at the Rainbow Bar, 113 N. 2nd Street Hamilton, Montana. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to the Bitter Root Humane Association, 262 Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, Montana 59840. Kindly sign the online registry at www.brothersmortuary.com.