Mr. James "Jim" Arthur Wise

Exposed to COVID 19 through a recent unrelated hospitalization, Jim passed away suddenly at North York General Hospital on Monday, May 11, 2020 at the age of 89, beloved husband of Roberta for 64 happy years, loving father of Daniel (Dan) and his wife Frances, and proud grandfather of Isabelle and Thomas.

Jim was the son of the late Norman and Florence Wise. Jim also leaves behind his cousin Ralph and wife Jannie in Hong Kong, his sister-in-law and her husband Audrey & Larry Long, and 13 nieces and nephews.

Jim obtained his BA from the University of Toronto in 1953 and joined his father in the third-generation family business of Wise Insurance Company, merging the business in 1997 with John Bean and his family at WC McLaughlin Insurance Company where he continued to serve his clients for an additional 17 years until his retirement in 2014.

Jim enjoyed vacation travel to the Caribbean with family and in recent years with Roberta and enjoyed summers and special holiday times with family and friends at cottages in Muskoka and on Georgian Bay. Particularly happy family memories centre around two special Disney vacations with his beloved grandchildren.

Friends and family recall his cheerful and positive disposition, easy smile and his natural ability to share a humourous story, tell a joke (often heard before!) and put people at their ease. He was immensely proud of his family and relished the opportunity from the sidelines, to enjoy the exploits of his grandchildren - both of whom he loved so very dearly - watching Isabelle figure skating and Thomas learning to play defense on his select hockey team were recent delights.

Always community-minded, Jim was actively engaged throughout his life with charitable work with Cubs & Scouts with Dan and with the YMCA and Hillcrest United Church, where he served both organizations for many years on regional advisory councils and boards of directors respectively.

As a result of the current pandemic, a private family service will take place, followed in the future by a Celebration of Life when it is again safe to gather together with family and friends.

Donations, in Jim's memory, can be directed to Thornhill United Church or personal charity of choice.