James E Woods

April 23,1953 to May 17, 2024

After a courageous six-week battle with a sudden unexpected illness Jim passed away peacefully in his wife Noreen’s embrace. Jim was 71 years young. Jim faced all the illness attempts to knock him down with a smile, that cheeky sense of humour, and an iron will to fight. He tried valiantly to stay with his wife, children, and grandchildren longer but alas his body was tired. “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Late in the evening of 17th May Jim was led by the angels to his eternal home.

Jim was raised by his parents with his six siblings in the village community of Binscarth Manitoba. He attended Binscarth Elementary and Major Pratt High School in Russell Mb. Taking part in area communities Jim actively played recreation hockey, baseball, curling, football, golfing and socializing with friends and family.

Jim met his future wife Noreen (Turko) through mutual friends at Silver Beach Mb the July long weekend 1973. They married May 1977, resided in Portage la Prairie Mb where they built a beautiful life and family together. Jim was promoted and transferred by Canadian Pacific Railroad to Yorkton Saskatchewan from 1986 to 1993 then to Regina Sk where his wife, daughter & husband continue to live, and son & wife and grandchildren reside in Moose Jaw Sk.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, grampa, brother, uncle and friend who embraced life to its fullest. He shared his love of the outdoors with his wife, children, family, and friends on many adventures including music festivals, summer camping and fishing trips from areas in northern Ontario all the way to the west coast of BC and many family reunions in Mexico destinations.

Jim lived and breathed sports, enjoyed joining his parents in Binscarth and other places cheering on their beloved Binscarth Orioles Baseball league. He followed and arm-chair refereed local junior and national sports with a passion and could incredibly name every player’s name and highlight archived plays from past years. He never waivered in his support for the Toronto Maple Leafs despite the chirping family who cheered on other teams.

Loving all animals, Jim watched endless animal nature shows and had many family pets over the years that he “didn’t want” but later cried over when his cherished fur-buddies passed away.

Jim had an admirable work ethic. Starting as a young boy Jim delivered water in the 1960s with his little wagon for ten cents a bucket to homes in Binscarth that did not yet have running water. As an adolescent Jim was an Army/Air Cadet mastering proficient gunmanship. After leaving high school Jim worked for a time at the Inco Nickle Mine Thompson Mb.

In June 1971 Jim was hired by Canadian Pacific Railroad as a Tie Gang Labourer on the Brandon Division. Jim moved up the ranks gaining seniority as Machine Operator on summer Tie Gangs in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, maintained and gained seniority during winter months in Poplar Point Mb as supervisor then was promoted to Assistant Road Master Wynyard/Saskatoon Division. Jim concluded his 37-year career with CP Rail as Deputy Roadmaster Indian Head Division retiring in 2009.

Residing in Regina since 1993 Jim was an active Uplands Community Association volunteer for numerous years. He also coached his daughter’s softball team, coached children’s entry-level Tae-kwon-do and passed along to his son the knowledge of being a proficient Army Cadet. Through hard work Jim earned his third-degree Tae-kwon-do Black Belt and became an ACUC Certified Scuba Diver. Jim and Noreen were ‘snowbirds’ spending some of their retirement winters in Arizona and most recently several winters in the Rio Grande Valley Texas. Jim enjoyed work-outs at local gyms and was an enthusiastic golfer being a member of Joanne Goulet Golf Course Regina and LaFloresta Mercedes Texas.

Jim is survived by his wife of 47 years Noreen, son Aaron (Dareth) and grandchildren (Aaron & Dareth) Kenzie and Vander, daughter Sara (Ryan), sisters Glenda Parker and Kim Woods-Stemberger, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by brothers-in law Eric Turko, Ken (Myrna) Turko, sister-in-law Vivian Chartofylax and their families. Jim is predeceased by his parents Rodney & Velma Woods, sister Barbara (Ben Peters), sister Bonnie (Victor Guspodarik), sister Lea (Tom Reiter), brother Rod, sister-in-law Debbie Woods, brother-in-law Brian Parker. Also predeceased by his father and mother-in-law William & Rosalie Turko.

Jim’s family wishes to take the opportunity to formally thank the Doctors and Nurses at Royal University Hospital Saskatoon and Regina General Hospital for their tireless efforts. Special thankyou and our deepest love and gratitude goes to the Pasqua Palliative Unit Doctors, Nurses and Staff who beautifully cared for and loved on Jim in his final days and for taking care of and loving Jim’s family as well. Jim teased and lovingly referred to his nurses as his “sweethearts.”

Per Jim’s wishes, there will be no public funeral service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the SPCA, an animal rescue of your choice or the Palliative Care Unit, Regina Pasqua Hospital in Jim’s memory.