We were all saddened to hear about Jim and feel we want to relive some of our memories. Our first trip to Canada happened because Lesley's mum and dad, Isabel and Alfred, so wanted it to happen; they had talked of the exciting weeks they had spent in Canada.  They really wanted us to enjoy the thrill of being hosted by our real Canadian cousins. In addition, Auntie Helen so appreciated her many visits  and brought back tales of the generosity and happy times spent with Marj and Jim.

So we  brought our children to meet the distant relatives back  in the early 90's and found them to be not distant at all ; they were a joy to be with and Jim was central to our experiences . He  showed us the charm and beauty of a land that he obviously loved; he generously lead us  up north on a trip through mining country for a few days; he carefully explained the rules of baseball and the subtleties of pitching and even provided tickets to  a Blue Jays match at the Skydome. Both amazing experiences. Maybe inadvisedly on one occasion he  let Chris drive his tractor! Vanessa  remembers well his frequent phrase of "shut the door" [to keep the flies out!]

August 2008 was an opportunity to see how much the farm had developed since our last visit and we fully appreciated all the work he had lavished on the property over the years. It was great to share time when Jim felt able to be involved in showing us around again.  We were heartily encouraged to sample the lobster at a favourite restaurant after a day touring local vineyards  and were delighted to be introduced to the "˜Group of Seven" artists at the Kleinberg Gallery. 

We just want to say to all the family that we are thinking of them and that we hold Jim in our hearts with affection and fond memories.

I will always appreciate my many visits to Ontario with Marj and Jim over the years. I remember how much Jim showed me and what a mine of information he was.

Some reflections on my friend and colleague KRAFTY JIM.
Krafty, as we called him, and I formed the first Noranda Exploration Evaluation Group in around 1967.  We shared a small office on 4 King-18th floor where our desks faced each other.  Now Krafty had a reputation of a hard diligent worker.  What many people did not know was that he was a pipe smoker back then, and much of his time in the office was spent banging, blowing, poking and puffing on this pipe while I was trying to concentrate.  In those days we were cranking out resource and cash flow calculations with mechanical hand crank calculators always to the decimal point on Krafty's insistence.  What a noise came from our small office, a combination of whirring, clanking, and of course from Krafty's pipe maintenance (blow puff bang bang).
We had lots of discussions in that small office sitting face to face. Jim was always concerned about a second mortgage and never let up on it.  Not being a home owner it sounded like to me he would be in deep debt for the rest of his life.  Several years later he told me he finally paid off the $1,500 mortgage.
Jim and I developed the first Noranda computerized cash flow program in the era of punch cards and main frames.  To run our “simple” program we required the Molson computer in Montreal and the Noranda Refinery computer which were only available after midnight.  I remember one night Jim fell asleep standing up watching reams of paper being spewed out.  Later we retired to the hotel to grab some sleep, but when I went for breakfast there was a note saying he was taking the train back to Toronto and would work on the program, but did not want to wake me.  I flew to Toronto only to receive a message he had resolved the problem on the train and was back on the train to Montreal. I cannot remember when we finally caught up to each other or whether the program ever worked.
Later I moved to Western U.S. and set up a US Evaluation Group.  Jim and I maintained a close working relation.  I remember I would call him and ask him if he had some time to talk.  His answer was always “I always have time to talk to you”.  Our close working relationship continued when together with Jim Gibson, we began evaluating phosphate deposits in Florida.  What hoot that was.  We were on the bottom of the learning curve and had to invent our own techniques.  We had one late night working away when Jim started yawning and called it a night.  I agreed, but after his light was off I snuck off to the bar for a couple.  When I came back his light was on and he was working away on the project again.
On my trips back from Florida I often visited the Kraft's at their home in Port Credit.  Both Marj and Jim had great stories to tell, Marj's bat ball, and Jim's stories of Gaspe- his first trip with Archie Bell (“there's a copy of the Globe and Mail in the truck”) and the Gaspe strike (the British Square).  I always had to tell my pig story to the kids every time I visited and   Marj will always remember the Turkish Coffee incident.
Although I lost contact with Jim and Marj about the time they moved to Australia, I have fond memories of the years we spent working together when we were pioneers in the evaluation days.  He will be missed.
Frank condon

Jim was a lovely man. We have shared some wonderful times with Marj and Jim in both Australia and Canada. We'll always remember his caring nature and keen sense of humour, and we will never forget our introduction to his 'Creation at Caledonia' - the 'farm' with its gardens & sheds, signposted walkways, and that amazing barbecue area! And then there's the video of Jim taking our two children on rides around his farm on the tractor. 
To Marj and the extended family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We have so many fond memories of times spent with Marj and Jim in Caledonia, Vancouver Island, Sauble Beach and Dundas. We will miss Jim's wit, humor and passion for history and travel which always led to wonderful conversations and stories.  
The friendship and care shown to Joy both in Australia  and during her many trips to Canada have been greatly appreciated.
We know  that Joy, in Sydney, will be reliving the many good times as she enjoys her "little drop" of scotch this evening.

I have a sense of the loss you must all be feeling, but I hope that it helps to know that we are all keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

I have such fond memories of times we spent at your place, playing with the train set, playing in your huge back yard in Mississauga, and later at the farm. What a great person Uncle Jim was, I will never forget all the happy times I and my family had in his company, we will miss you.
Love Mary and Graydon Spencer, Cherie & Shane, Charlie & Robin, and Joey. Kanata ON

I'm going to miss my Uncle Jim. He was one of my favourite people in the world.

From stories we have heard in the past, Jim was a great husband, father and grandfather making many wonderful memories with everyone, which will keep his memory alive always.  We are thinking of you all during this sad time...

So sudden - a difficult time for all of you - we will miss him terribly.  We have such fond memories of him and the pictures that you've posted on this site show the love and happiness that he gave and received throughout his life.  We're still in awe of his travels - his map of the world with pins showing all of the places he experienced and his stories and geopolitical knowledge set him apart.  He was a creative engineer too (...and not all engineers are creative). Your home in the country showed off all of his talents -  his gardens, the workshops, patios, decks, meandering pathways, ponds with aligators, whimsical gardening sheds such as "Dog Patch" not to mention the beautiful cedar chests he made for his  3 grandchildren and the crib that he made with Don (and is about to be used by the next generation). He left his mark on the world - a husband, father, grandfather, friend, provider, engineer, builder and a curious, intelligent and educated world traveller.  We'll miss him - glad to have known him and we are honored to be a part of his family.  Our prayers go out to Jim and to you - with fond and affectionate memories of a good man.  Love Jane & Bruce

He was a good man, Marj, and I will always remember him. From the Murdochville days to the 'Nut club' parties.  His beautiful garden, that I will never forget.

Pistachio! Pistachio! Pistachio! Nuts. Nuts. Nuts!

Rest in peace, Jim.

OBITUARY

James Jim Earl Kraft

December 25, 1930 – June 17, 2012

Marlatt Funeral Home, Swackhamer Chapel

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