Had his appointment with God on February 14th, 2021 with family members at his side. Passing in his 98th year, Jim had a long, full life surrounded by family. He will be lovingly remembered by his four sons Peter (Val), Neil (Suzanne), Phillip (Rhonda), and Kevin (Lorraine), three daughters Barbara Stevens (Walter), Donna Carriere (Marc), and Debby Gignac, and stepdaughters Susan Gravelle (Normand) and Holly Coes-Harris (Steve); also, by his two sisters Helen Milford and Carol-Ann Jones. His memory will continue to live on in the love of his sixteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
In his heavenly journey, Jim joins his wives Joan Kirkbride and Eunice Coes, as well as sisters Betty Smith (Ed) and Stella French (Greg), brothers-in-law George Milford and Barry Jones, and son-in-law Marc Gignac.
Jim joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during WW II, this call to duty was especially important to him. He went to enlist in the RCAF but was not successful because his blood sugar was too high. He then went to the Army and met medical conditions. He wanted to be in the RCAF so went back and they retested him and was successful. He had a cold and was taking cough drops high in sugar. During his time in service, he flew as a Rear Gunner and survived two crashes. While stationed in England, he met the first great love of his life, Joan, who was in the British Royal Air Force on his base. They returned to Canada, where he worked at the A & P in Kirkland Lake. In 1956 he moved Joan and children to North Bay to work in the family business at the Lincoln Motel. In 1966 Jim went to work at London Life, where he had a highly successful career as an insurance salesman. Whenever a new baby was born in the family, he made sure a policy was written and he made the first payment.
In the 70’s Jim was a director involved in the West Ferris Minor Hockey Association. Both he and Joan along with the family spent many hours working at the West Ferris Arena.
Jim loved to travel especially once he retired. He and Eunice were always traveling either in their motor home across Canada, or to England, Australia, and many parts of Europe. Here again, he remembered the Air Force and with Eunice tried to meet with many of his former crew. He went to New Zealand to visit his former captain. In his later years, Jim missed being able to travel. He would say that he wanted to win the lottery so he could self insure and continue traveling.
One of Jim’s other great passions was his knitting machine. He and Eunice would make socks to donate, and even up to the end of his life, he continued to knit blankets to donate to those in need, including those at Serenity Hospice and homeless centres. We just recently heard from England from the granddaughter of one of the men he flew with. She sent us a picture of the blanket Jim had sent her mother.
A man of strong faith, Jim regularly attended mass at Holy Name of Jesus Christ. Because of covid restrictions, a special mass will be held for him, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at a later date.
The family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers. Jim asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to The Canadian Cancer Society in memory of Joan.or the Heart and Stroke for Eunice.