Suddenly but peacefully, Jim (Sr) passed away after a lengthy illness on November 2, 2024 at the age of 82. He will be missed by family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife Caroline, sons James (Maria) and David, granddaughters Stephanie and Kyra, two great-grandchildren, sisters Bonnie, Mary-Jane, and Lorraine, brother John, and many nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents James and Irene and granddaughter Angela at birth.
Jim was born in 1942 and spent his formative years in East Kildonan in a busy household with four siblings and lots of lifelong friends from the neighborhood. In his teenage years he briefly considered becoming a priest but as we all know he chose a different path. Also, at this time he showed his scholastic skills by skipping a grade and fairly versatile athletic skills for a “big guy”.
Jim married Caroline in 1965 and started a family shortly thereafter with two sons James (Jr) and David. The family lived in East Kildonan and North Kildonan through the early years and eventually settled in East St. Paul, where they resided for the past 24 years.
Jim became a Chartered Accountant in 1970 and eventually owned his own practice. He worked as an accountant for over 50 years and truly loved the business, especially his clients. He also really enjoyed the end of tax season when a glass of wine or two could be lifted.
As mentioned before, he loved sports and competing. He was left-handed, so he was behind the eight ball already as finding sports equipment, etc. was difficult for “lefties” back in the day. However, he persevered, bad back and all and competed at the highest level as an amateur golfer in Manitoba. He was a member of Elmhurst Golf and Country Club for over 50 years and very involved as a competitor and a volunteer. He won club championship, was part of the “Mundie” Putter squad and provincially won the Manitoba Seniors Championship in 1998. As a volunteer he was president at Elmhurst, then president of the MGA (Golf Manitoba), the Golf Manitoba Scholarship Foundation and finally spent ten years with the RCGA (Golf Canada) in various capacities.
A special thanks to all his doctors and medical practitioners who kept him upright over the years.
Jim loved his family, friends and all things about life. He had an easy smile, boisterous laugh and as we all know a booming voice which he used on occasion to demonstrate another of his loves, singing. Danny Boy was a personal favorite of his, along with many other songs. His legacy touched many people and he will be missed. Rest in Peace “Sr”.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday November 22 at Holy Redeemer Parish, 264 Donwood Drive.
In Lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
