Thomas «Jim» James Howe of Simcoe, Ontario
March 20, 1932 – May 2, 2019
HOWE, Thomas James (Jim) – Peacefully, on Thursday May 2, 2019 at Brantford General Hospital, surrounded by his sister and three of his nieces, after suffering a stroke on March 5th. Jim worked very hard to recover, but ultimately his body failed him. Beloved brother, uncle, family member, and friend. Predeceased by his sister Margaret (late Don), brother Frank (late Mona), brother-in-law Andrew, nephew David, and niece Kathy. Survived and loved by his sister Betty, nieces and nephews John, Jane, Karen, Kim, Kevin, Maria, and Elizabeth, and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews. Fondly remembered by the Kowalsky family, especially Cathy (late Earl), children Bob, Kim, and Marie, and their families. Jim was born on March 20, 1932 to Edith Catherine (Kienapple) and William Edmund Melville (‘Mel’) Howe in Huntsville, Ontario, the third of four children. One day when he was a baby, his mother took him out in a stroller. A little girl came up and asked what the baby’s name was, and his mother proudly said, “we call him Tom”. The little girl said, “that’s my cat’s name!” From that day, he was called Jim. His sister Betty was born on his 5th birthday. Although at the time he wasn’t very happy with this birthday present, he grew to appreciate the gift she was to him. Jim’s father worked for CN Rail, and the family moved many times around Ontario while Jim was growing up. In 1951, he reluctantly moved with his parents and Betty to a house on Ormond Crescent in Simcoe, where he lived for the rest of his life. Once in Simcoe, Jim started work at the former American Can Company, retiring as a bookkeeper at age 63. After his father passed away in 1966, Jim lived alone for several years. Eventually, Earl and Cathy and their children moved in with him, and he became a part of their family. Jim was a faithful church-goer and long-time member of St. Mary’s. He was a Charter Member and 4th Degree Knight, as well as a past Grand Knight, of the Knights of Columbus Canadian Martyrs Council 4502, Simcoe. He was also a Charter Member of the Sacred Heart Assembly, Knights of Columbus, Delhi. Jim was the official scorer for countless teams in baseball, softball, and bowling, and he was renowned for his meticulous scorekeeping cards. He loved to travel with his niece Karen on her school March Break trips. In 1996, Jim joined the Simcoe Seniors’ Centre, becoming a Life Member in 2008. Over the years he served as newsletter editor, board member, and treasurer. Being a social person, Jim loved the Seniors’ Centre, and it was an important part of his life. In recent years, he was often seen around Simcoe driving his scooter (snow was no deterrent to him!). Jim, Jimmy, “favourite fat uncle”, honorary Kowalsky, family genealogist, well-mannered, friendly, positive, cheerful, thankful, stubborn (a Howe family trait!), inquisitive, great sense of humour, lover of corny jokes, sharp-minded, clean-shaven (foam and blade only, please!), collector, compiler of random facts, frugal, pens in shirt pocket, crossword and Jumble puzzle master. That describes the Jim his family and friends knew and loved. He charmed everyone who met him. Although your loss leaves a big hole in our lives, Jim, we take comfort from some of your final words to us: “I’ve had a good life” and “we will live forever”. Friends are invited to visit with the family on Friday May 10th, 2019 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the FERRIS FUNERAL HOME, 214 Norfolk St. S., Simcoe (519-426-1314). Funeral mass will be held on Saturday May 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. from ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 211 Union St. Simcoe. Father Alan Dufraimont Celebrant. Cremation to follow with interment at St. Mary’s Parish Cemetery at a later date. Thank you to Dr. Kugathasan, OT Nina, PT Susan, his PSWs, and his nurses, especially Grant and Angela. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in remembrance of Jim to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.ferrisfuneral.com
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Thomas Jim James Howe of Simcoe Ontario March 20 1932 May 2 2019..
Décès pour la Ville: Simcoe, Province: Ontario