1924 – 2020
Jim passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of April 25, at CHSLD Nazaire-Piché in Lachine. He leaves behind his daughters, Lorraine and Janet, from first marriage to Margaret Cale, deceased, and grand-daughter Raina Robertson, as well as his nephews through sister Jill Simpson, deceased, Stephen (Helen) and Martin (Robyn) and their children in New South Wales, Australia; former wife and dear friend Pauline Davies, née Page, and son Jon; Marthe Couture, with whom he has shared the last 33 years of his life, and her children Tanya, James and Stephanie McLean (Jack) as well as “honorary grandson” Oliver Trentman. He will also be missed by life-long friend Mike Steer and other friends in Australia and Canada.
Jim was born in Belmore, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, on December 23, 1924, and attended Canterbury High School. He enrolled in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1943, served in World War II (primarily in the Middle East), and was discharged with the rank of Warrant Officer in 1946. Upon graduation from Sydney Teachers’ College, he taught Physical Education at Bowral High School until 1960, then moved to the United States where he obtained a Master’s of Education from the University of Oregon in 1962. He then came to Dorval, Quebec, where he taught Physical Education at Courtland Park School and Northmount High School, then History and Geography. Throughout his teaching career and after retirement, he pursued summer studies at Harvard, in China and Japan (MA South & East Asian History, NYU) as well as Concordia University. He possessed a passionate love for sports and physical exercise, current affairs, world travel and books.
Jim will be remembered for his soft voice, gentle manner, kindness and winning smile. As a high school teacher, he prided himself on maintaining a quiet atmosphere conducive to learning, earning the respect and affection of his students, in whom he had a keen interest.
Though he lived in Canada longer than in Australia and eventually became a Canadian citizen, Jim retained a remarkable pride in being Australian and fittingly left us on Anzac Day. “Lest We Forget”.
Special thanks to the staff of CHSLD Nazaire-Piché and to the friends who visited Jim regularly during his last years. In lieu of flowers, donations to NOVA West Island or to Alzheimer’s Society of Montreal would be welcome.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to J.J. Cardinal Funeral Home (560 Lakeshore Dr., Dorval, Québec 514-631-1511)
RÉSIDENCE FUNÉRAIRE J.J. CARDINAL FUNERAL HOME
2125, rue Notre-Dame, Lachine (Québec) H8S 2G5
Tél. : 514-639-1511 | Téléc. : 514-639-1516 | Courriel : info@jjcardinal.ca
17 Commentaires
I remember Jim as an uncommonly gentle gentleman. He will be much missed, but has left behind many happy memories.
Marthe. This is Mike’s friend from College and Physical Education days. I did not know Jim of course but felt a strong contact as we sought help for our Veteran friend. I am saddened to hear of your loss. it is perhaps somewhat similar to that felt as my father succumbed in UK after a long battle with Alzheimers. I am so pleased that you at least were able to visit with him and bring to him some measure of comfort in his last hours. Having pursued a similar path to Jim as a career PE and Humanities teacher, I am so very impressed with his life’s achievements and moreso his person as it resonates through this obituary.
Dear Malcolm,
Thank you for taking the time to post a testimonial to Jim. I want you to know how grateful I am for your intervention on Jim’s behalf, following Mike’s fervent request. As you state, I was at least granted permission to be at Jim’s side during his last hours. Although he was unconscious at that point, it is a privilege of which many loved ones have been deprived due to the extremely dangerous conditions in long-term care institutions, in the Montreal area in particular. You may have heard that starting next week one designated caregiver per resident will be readmitted provided that person is willing to submit to stringent safety measures. Too late for Jim and me, alas!
Again, sincere thanks for all you have done for Jim and me.
Marthe
Jim was a very kind man. It was a honour knowing him. Many your family be spared further sorrow.
remarkable career, I already miss the walks with you along the Lachine canal, coffee at Pointe-Claiew Village
and the winter walks in Fairview. And waiting for Marthe to pick us up.. Goodbye dear friend. May you rest in peace.
Mes plus sincères condoléances à toi Marthe et à toute ta famille élargie. Je garderai toujours un souvenir extraordinaire du merveilleux sourire de Jim au CHSLD; personne ne pouvait être insensible à sa figure apaisante et réconfortante, malgré la maladie. Courage et paix à vous tous, Lise
Jim will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.
Jim was both a great history and geography teacher to me at Northmount High School in Montreal. And I was lucky enough afterward to have him as a stepfather!
As almost all these messages cite, he was indeed a true gentleman and a very kind person. He made my mother very happy and for that I am eternally grateful to him.
I will remember the fun times we had with him in Dorval, Toronto and various cottages. One of the funniest times was when he was on the dock (when he was about 83 years young), extending his hand to Jack (my husband) to help him out of the canoe. Jack unwillingly pulled Jim right into the lake, fully clothed. My mom (Marthe)’s canoe then capsized and she held on to the canoe for dear life while Jack and Jim rescued her, all three in fits of laughter. We were HOWLING to the point of tears afterwards!!
Jack’s and my son Oliver has always known Jim to be his grandpa and misses him terribly.
As do we.
RIP, Grandpa Jim. We love you.
Stephanie, Jack and Oliver xoxo
Marthe, mes sincères condoléances. Jim était un homme très gentil, calme et adorable. A mainte occasion, j’adorais lui faire plaisir en lui donnant, comme collation du soir des biscuits, je l’appelais mon ‘Cookie Monster’. Je le faisais aussi souvent sourire en lui disant comment il était ‘Handsome’. Il restera toujours dans ma mémoire. Fais attention à toi, Johanne
Jim was a gentle spirited soul.Who brought the goodness in every person around him. I was blessed knowing him and the most cherished time we spent together.You will be missed by many.Continue resting in eternal peace my friend.Till we meet again.
Dear Marthe,
We are saddened to hear about Jim, but we feel very privileged to have been good friends with such a wonderful man for 60 years. Jim had a positive influence on so many people. If we could all follow his example, life would be a better place!!
Love to all,
Larry and Rowena
In autumn 1971 I met a traveler from a faraway land. Immediately we had stories to share. He guided me to new sites in Africa and Asia, when we weren’t together at Northmount High. We shared other interests too, including: social studies, Amnesty International and playing softball in our bare feet. His soft voice and quiet smile and understated humour will be remembered by all his friends and family.
What a beautiful man.
Neighbours for 26 years, we’ll miss him a lot . Our backyard we’ll never be the same.
Mes plus sincères condoléances Marthe pour toi et toute la famille.
This is Jon, Jim’s son, writing from Oakland, California. Thank you for all your messages – please keep them coming! We love reading them. It means a lot to us, especially as we can’t be together in person right now.
I really lucked out when Jim became my brother-in-law. I couldn’t ask for better. What a gentleman and a really nice guy! I always had so much respect for him.
I loved playing golf and tennis with him. He always said, » golf should be played with only a seven iron and a putter » . Rest in peace my friend.
All my sympathy to Stephanie, Oliver, Marthe, Jack and Jim’s family. I never got to meet him in person but know how much he meant to the people in his life and the joy he gave them all. May his journey now be filled with light and happiness.
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