RANKIN, James Lee

Sept. 30, 1940-Jan 28, 2008. On a winter evening, so familiar to a boy from Kirkland Lake who laced his skates under starry skies, Jim died peacefully surrounded by people he loved, several days after a devastating heart attack - one he, Lady Luck, and all the marvels of medicine could not beat. Not like the other one, that came at the rink, at the age of 47. Jim is the son of the late George and Evalene Rankin, brother of Mary and Monica Rankin, father of Jessica and Jimmie, father-in-law to Michelle Shephard, married many years to Rochelle Rankin, and later to the late Claudette Menard. He left his rose, Rose Marie Blais, too early.



Jim, a gifted athlete, chose teaching over a chance at the NHL, and settled in North Bay. He taught and was a principal at many of the city's Catholic elementary schools. In retirement, Jim enjoyed his time with friends, discovered his golf game was as bad as he remembered, and, not having had enough of kids, took up driving school bus, and later, passenger coaches. He'd always had a fascination with big vehicles, and particularly enjoyed driving the Sudbury Wolves around Ontario. He was, as his friends will say, one of the good guys, never one to bow to The Man. He'll be missed by all, including Roz Paterson and good friend John Cameron, and extended family in the Toronto area and overseas.



In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to the North Bay General Hospital Foundation. Visitation Wednesday, Jan. 30th, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., McGUINTY FUNERAL HOME, 591 Cassells St, North Bay. Funeral mass, Thursday, Jan. 30,10 a.m., Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption, 480 McIntyre W, North Bay.