James Richard Athoe

Jim passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, at the age of 93. He is missed and survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 72 years Carol (nee Rohe), daughter Lisa (Kelly), son Gary (Cheryl), daughter in law Maureen; proud grandfather to Nick, Kyle, Drew, Rachel, Jake, Lindsay and Michael; great grandfather to Mia, Charlotte and Sloane. Predeceased by son Steven and brothers Barry and Bob.

Jim will be lovingly remembered and always in the hearts of his extended family and friends.

Jim built a lifetime of memories in Ridgeway Ontario, his love of family, cars, dogs and community were a constant theme. He apprenticed at 17 in auto body collision repair with Frank Nash. Jim went on to further hone his skills with Smith Collision, Bill Fickel Auto Repair and Motorville before building Athoe Collision Service in Ridgeway in 1958. His excellent workmanship over many years created a very steady customer base by word of mouth. Jim went on to build and operate Dufferin Motors in Fort Erie with business partner Jon Beck and following his hands-on auto body career, he joined Co-Operators Insurance as an appraiser for over 15 years. Simultaneously, in his free time, Jim was typically refurbishing anything with a motor; cars, trucks, several boats and even tried his hand at a semi-truck in his large Gorham Road home garage. Jim, following in the legacy of his father Bill Athoe, was an active member of the Ridgeway Lions Club and proudly served a term as President. Upon retirement, Jim liked to keep busy with various pursuits, teaching a night school auto body course, trying his hand at masonry on the Niagara Hwy 420 stone wall repair, and never saying no to home renovation challenges at his children’s homes into his mid eighties. Plumbing, carpentry, electrical, roofing, he did it all and did it well. He enjoyed keeping Highland Drive spotless, regularly catching up with “the Co-Operators gang”, coffee time with the Crystal Beach Tim Hortons gang and Sunday morning coffee club. A devoted NASCAR fan he loved watching races on TV or in person, including a large family trip to the Daytona 500 for his 75th birthday enjoyed with all his grandchildren. The entire family extends their gratitude to the compassionate care teams at The Willows Retirement.

Williams Funeral Services have been entrusted with arrangements. Jim’s family will receive friends on Thursday June 18th from 2-4 and 6-8. A funeral will be held the next day, Friday June 19th in the Williams chapel at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, celebrating Jim’s lifelong love of dogs, the family invites donations to the Fort Erie SPCA.