James Robert Cripps

Devoted husband of 53 years, to Joanne Selena Cripps, and proud father to Jason Cripps (Aimée) and Jeri Buzny (Paul), and grandfather to Lyon, Hudson, Maeve, Nora and Benson. Survived by his siblings Jeanne Thornton, and Ken Cripps, as well as sisters-in-law Eleanor Cripps, and Bev Cripps. Will forever remain in the hearts of his nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Predeceased by his parents Stanley and Vinetta Cripps, brother Herbert Cripps, and brother-in-law Ed Thornton.

Cherished by his second family Beth Bender (Dennis), Marline Stephens (deceased), Mossie Ragnelli (Tony), Jamey Stephens (Tug) and Daryl Stephens (Sandy) to whom he had known since Daryl was 8 years old. 

A man of many interests and talents, he was always young at heart. He loved his hobbies such as ATVing, boating, snowmobiling, RVing, travelling with friends and family, and taking on building and landscaping projects. He thrived on learning new skills and making memories along the way.

It was never a party without him, and he will be remembered for his enthusiasm of the ocean, a campfire and a drink with the people he loved.

Optimistic and always able to make people laugh, he was quick to connect with people and left behind stories wherever he went. He will be remembered for his empathy and sense of humour, but also for his strength and perseverance. Always persistent when learning new skills, he once said he learned best by talking to people and asking questions (before YouTube). There wasn’t anything he would shy away from or give up on once he set his mind to it. This included his introduction to quilting, when he took on the challenge of learning to program a long-arm quilting machine that was on the verge of being re-homed out of frustration.

Jim will be fondly remembered by family, his siblings, friends, colleagues, and former students as a mentor, teacher, and lifelong learner. Always quick to lend a hand and share his knowledge, he taught ASL to countless parents, offered valuable feedback to interpreters, provided online ASL instruction to corporate programs around the world, served as a school residence supervisor, and helped bring new opportunities to the Deaf community such as his initiative to bring the Youth Canada Tournament for the Deaf to Ontario. Whatever the role, he was happiest when encouraging others to learn, grow, and experience life to its fullest.

Kind, talented, strong, gentle, thoughtful, patient, encouraging, and endlessly funny, Jim had a gift for making people feel welcome and capable. His support of others was unwavering. Over the years, he was a constant source of encouragement in the development of the DEAF CULTURE CENTRE, taking great pride in its growth and in the opportunities it created to celebrate Deaf culture, language, history, and the arts.

His legacy lives on not only in what he accomplished, but in the countless people he encouraged to learn, laugh and take chances. Always reminding us to enjoy the journey.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held at Coutts Funeral Home, 96 St. Andrew’s Street, Cambridge on Saturday, November 21st from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf, an organization close to Jim's heart that works to preserve and celebrate Deaf culture, sign languages, arts, heritage, learning, mentorship, and community for future generations.