With his usual flair for the dramatic, Jim Purdy died suddenly on Good Friday, April 2, 2021 at the age of 72. Devoted and deeply loved husband of Anne-Marie Jackson. Adored father of Nick, Jeremy and Amelia (Darryl). Cherished and playful grandfather of Aria and Eva. Son of his late parents, Ches and Anne. Loving brother of Dan (Lee). Uncle of Megan (Doug), Erica (Matt), Erik (Jen) and Tim. Further survived by his brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, and friends who are like family.
Jim will be remembered for his big smile and laugh, his warm personality, his empathy for others, his appreciation for the nuances of life, and how attuned he was to the human condition. Those traits could be seen in the worlds he created: in his written words, in his art, and on his screens. An avid sketch artist with a mastery of pointillism with ink, he turned everything around him, including the films he loved to watch and his newest script-writing partner (his granddaughter, Aria), into creative fuel for the big screen.
After studying theatre and film at York University, Jim co-wrote and published a book on the “Hollywood Social Problem Film of the 30s and 40s.” He then moved into
theatre and film production himself.
From television series like the one he created and co-wrote (“Home Fires”) to those he guest wrote/directed (“Black Stallion,” “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Twilight Zone,” etc.) through theatre productions with the NDWT Company, and TV movies (“Taking Care of Terrific,” “Concrete Angels,” etc.) to the films that hit the silver screen (“Destiny To Order” and “Havana ‘57”) and those that didn’t (“Foreign Bodies”), Jim was a creative force who stood upon a foundation of integrity and principle. With three projects currently in the works (two films and a dramatic mini-series), his tenacity to create reveals his undying passion for the power of film.
That passion was evident at the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, last year where Jim gave a four-hour presentation on the highly acclaimed film “Roma” by Alfonso Cuarón. Through rigorous research and technical wizardry, he deconstructed the film from all angles and wowed audiences.
“Film is about characters first,” Jim always said. “The plot is only there to allow for character development - without character development, there really is no film.”
Jim will be remembered most for helping to develop the character of his three children and two grandchildren; as being a calming, rational influence who encouraged those characters to develop within the plots they best saw themselves fit.
In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family would greatly appreciate donations, if possible, to be made to Street Health, a non-profit community based agency that improves the health of homeless and under-housed people in Toronto.
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