October 11, 1923 - October 25, 2020
"We hold all the wonderful memories we have of you tucked away in our hearts, forever."
Jim passed peacefully at home with his wife by his side.
He was a genuinely caring son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, great grandfather and beloved husband of 66 years. He touched many people with the depth of his generosity and his thoughtfulness.
As a boy "Jimmy" delivered telegrams by bicycle for the CN in Vancouver.
He was a Morse Telegrapher in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WW2.
Jim went back to the CN after the war as a Lineman, hanging telegraph wire throughout BC.
He became a wire chief, living in a few BC railway towns before moving back to Vancouver as a floor technician. When the CN amalgamated to CNCP he remained a floor technician and eventually became an instructor before retiring.
He loved the outdoors and shared many memories of the times he had on the Line-Gang and how great it felt to run up the poles.
He loved his family and often visited them at “256” with his wife and five children.
He was witty and had a dry sense of humour and was a great MC on special occasions.
Throughout his life he was an example of honesty and integrity to everyone he met and was loved for it. Jim spent his last 18 years in Oyama, BC. He would sit on the porch with his wife Ev and say," This is as close to Little Mountain as we could get". He loved Oyama, the cornerstore and the people he connected with. He said he felt like he had won the lotto living here.
He is survived by his wife Eveline of 66 years, his sisters, Bernadette (Bette) McLeod and Kathleen (Kathy) Ward. Five children, Denise, Jeffery, Teresa , Frances and James Tonner. Seven grandchildren, Evera Tonner, Andrea Pacholuk, Samantha Day, Ashley Pitt, Brendan Tonner, James Pitt and Lillian Tonner. Four wonderful great grandchildren, Lauren, Thomas, Olivia, Kayia and extended family. Preceding his passing are his siblings William (Bill) Tonner, Ronald (Ron) Tonner and Margaret (Marg) Eyberson.
A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Brian Martin and Dr. Joshua Wiesenthal, the caring staff at the Kelowna General Hospital and to the Home Support Nurses that looked in on him. Special thanks to VA, and the wonderful people who assisted us.
Friends and family, your thoughtfulness and kindness sustained us.
The family hopes to hold a Celebration of Life in 2021.
You may leave condolences and messages to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com and go to James's (Jim) Obituary.
Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299
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