James Telencoe (Jim)
March 5, 2021
March 4, 1952 – February 21, 2021
With great sadness, we regret to announce the sudden passing of our husband, father and grandfather, Jim. With fond memories, he leaves his wife Gwen (nee Benjamin), his daughter Lauren, husband Pip (Henry) Boulet and grandchildren Benjamin and Chloe, his daughter Susan, husband Matthew Gnutel, and their Saint-Bernard, Winnie. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael (Yeo) and Mary (Mason) Telencoe and in-laws James and Marion Benjamin. Jim was a big Jets fan, Bomber fan, golfer, curler, crossword enthusiast, and rock-and-roll guru.
Jim grew up in East Kildonan as the only child to his parents Yeo and Mason. His grandfather started D.E. Adam’s Coal Company, where his father was also employed. Jim and his family had many fond memories of summers spent at Linklater Camp, a fishing lodge built and run by the family. Later, Yeo and his brother Bob Telencoeran the Niel & Watt Esso in East Kildonan. Jim graduated from River East Collegiate and went on to earn a Geography degree at the University of Winnipeg. Soon after graduation, a friend suggested he apply for a job with the City of Winnipeg. There he worked as a House Numbering Technician. His crowning achievement in this position was when he was interviewed on one of his favourite AM radio stations, CBC, about how house numbers are assigned. Upon completion of his Draftsmen Certificate, he was promoted to a Zoning Officer, and finally working as a Development and Planning Officer until retirement.
It was at work where he met Gwen. He would joke later that he was “trapped” by her before he realized their age difference. Jim and Gwen dated for a couple of years before he proposed at a red light on their way home from work one winter. They were married in August of ’85. In 1991, Jim and Gwen built their home in North Kildonan. Jim enjoyed organizing Canada Day block parties with the neighbours, which always ended with a grand fireworks display. His inner pyromaniac absolutely loved picking out and setting off the fireworks: the bigger the bang, the better. Gwen, being a born country girl from small town, Springside, Saskatchewan, had the daunting task of teaching Jim, a city boy through and through, all about the country life. He had a real love and appreciation for the Saskatchewan prairies and all the golf courses he could find in them. In their retirement, Jim and Gwen took a few winter escape holidays to Mexico and Jamaica. Jim was at first reluctant, thinking how could he possibly enjoy lounging around in the hot sun all day without a care in the world? Luckily, he quickly adapted to the beach lifestyle and was very good at it.
He made many life-long friends from the East Kildonan neighbourhood where he grew up; if one were to count the good times they had, they would surely circle the globe ten times around. Jim was a die-hard Blue Bomber fan. Some of his fondest memories were from Grey Cup parties. He attended many Grey Cup games (a lot!) with his group of like-minded football fan friends. We can only imagine the antics that were had. Gwen can recall picking Jim up from the airport, and they were riding the luggage carousel. Jim was beyond ecstatic when he watched the Bombers WINthe Grey Cup in 2019 with his good friends. When it comes to hockey, Jim was first a Habs fan, which influenced his daughter Susan to become a Habs fan, but he was a true blue Jets fan at heart. In 1997 when the Jets left, Jim was devastated (he had already lost the Montreal Expos!), but he made sure both of his daughters went to a Jets game in their last season so they could always say they had seen them play. He never thought the day would come that the Jets actually return to Winnipeg. The task of securing season tickets was left to his son-in-law Pip, who thankfully succeeded in getting two, pretty great seats. Finding out he was a Jets season ticket holder once more was one of his happiest moments.
Jim absolutely loved playing slo-pitch; the last team he played for was the Burns Smokie Dogs as a catcher. Sadly, his knee gave out and, as his family grew, his priorities changed. Jim loved to play golf all his life. He grew up playing at Rossmere Country Club and, in recent years, was a member of the SOS Golf League. He enjoyed his regular Wednesday golf game with the league, always at a different course in Manitoba. Jim also curled in the Metro Curling League, which somewhat left Gwen and the girls in the lurch on Wednesday game nights, as Jim had always taken on the responsibility of cooking dinner for the family. It may not have always been gourmet (and possibly led to Lauren becoming a vegetarian for a few years), but he always made sure the family was fed. As kids, if Lauren or Susan asked, “Dad, what’s for supper?” he would always say something like “Dinosaur” or “Kangaroo” (spoiler: they tasted a lot like chicken!). Since Jim was curling every Wednesday, Gwen and the girls began “Wednesday Night Dinners,” where they would order in or eat out since the cook had the night off. As his cooking skills diversified, he loved to experiment with all different kinds of spices and recipes, the spicier, the better. He never ceased perfecting the NY steak (even in the dead of Winnipeg winter), or despite Gwen’s protests, cooking seafood and curries.
Jim’s son-in-law Pip had a very fitting nickname for him, “Grandpa Mandshein,” after the Winnipeg classic rock radio DJ, Howard Mandshein, who is known for his anecdotes of rock music. You could name any classic rock band and Jim (Grandpa Mandshein) would say, “Oh them? Yeah, I saw them in an old pub one night…that was the first time…then I saw them again when Stevie Wonder was the opening act…”. It would go on and on and on. You name the band; he saw them and had a story to go along with it. If by chance he hadn’t seen a band, you can bet he knew someone who had or he had a wild story about how he was supposed to go to the show but ended up doing who knows what instead. His girls Lauren and Susan grew up on rock-and-roll blasting in the house from 7 a.m., and a strong dislike for country music (it’s just in their blood.) They were taught from a young age all about Lou Reed and Ray Davies. The Kinks were always Jim’s favourite band and the soundtrack of many road trips to Springside, Saskatchewan to visit Gwen’s family. He wasn’t only about classic rock either. Jim was always up to date with the new acts, even taking Susan to the Franz Ferdinand and Death Cab for Cutie concert. No doubt he would still be going to concerts if he could.
Jim was proud of his two girls, Lauren and Susan, and all they have accomplished. Lauren has been a grade 7 French Immersion Teacher for over ten years and built a beautiful home and family with her husband Pip and their children, Benjamin and Chloe. Susan completed medical school in 2018 and is currently a Pediatric Resident at the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. She married her husband, Matthew Gnutel, in 2016, and they are proud owners of a Saint-Bernard named Winnie. As a child, Susan used to cry to Gwen about Jim’s allergy to pet dander, as she wanted nothing more than a dog. Jim eventually caved and let the girls get a pet cat named Milo, with the promise that he would never have to buy Gwen another gift. When Susan and Matthew purchased and renovated their first home, Susan’s childhood dream of having a dog, a Saint-Bernard, came true. Jim always loved when Winnie would come over for visits; suddenly, his allergies weren’t really a bother. Another fond memory of Jim’s with Susan was when they were golfing at Shooters, and Jim got his first Hole-in-One. Lauren’s golfing experience with her dad was not as exciting as it ended with her laying in the sprinklers from heatstroke.
Jim’s greatest joy was his grandkids, Benjamin and Chloe. He took care of Benjamin when Lauren returned to work after maternity leave. They had a nice little daily routine, watching the Price is Right, going for a walk, stopping at certain bushes or trees that Benjamin would reach for, and playing at the park. He often said of Chloe, he had to do a double-take as she reminded her so much of Lauren growing up. He would sit with them and play whatever they wanted: mini-hockey, Playdoh, Lego, Barbies, or whatever game they had invented together. All they had to do was ask and maybe wait for Grandpa to finish his coffee, and off they would go.
Jim looked forward to his regular phone conversations with his cousin Violet Halicki as they tried to solve the problems of the world and his Uncle Dick Mosoronchon, recounting stories of the past and their new experiences. Jim is survived by many cousins and aunts whom he would have loved to see again, as well as his sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. His nieces and nephews have many fond memories about their Uncle Jim; his air trombone dance moves, restaurant ordering antics, water sliding skills, love/hate relationship with technology and just how much he would pester them at times.
Though we are shocked and grief-stricken, there are few things we know for certain; if he were still here with us, he would be our shoulder to cry on, the silly smile to give us hope, and the joker to (try to) make us laugh, all while blasting The Kinks. Cremation has taken place, and a celebration will be held in the summer complete with loud music, dancing, beer and of course, fireworks. If friends would like, a donation in memory of Jim to the Children’s Hospital is welcome.
“Because celluloid heroes never feel any pain and celluloid heroes never really die.” – The Kinks, Celluloid Heroes
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3 thoughts on “James Telencoe (Jim)”
Carol Lyons
March 6, 2021 at 7:09 am
Gwen, I have many fond memories of curling in the Metro Curling League, at the Civic Spiel and “Metro” Golf Tournaments at my place in Sandy Hook with Jim and you in attendance. I remember when Jim, and Jerry and Brad dropped by to visit with me one summer shortly after Larry passed – they were on their way to the golf course. You have my deepest sympathy. It looks like you have a beautiful family to help comfort you. sending you warm hugs – Carol
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Stefan Szuminsky
March 6, 2021 at 8:32 am
Gwen, Jim bonded with me on 3 fronts- SOS golf, Metro Curling, and Jim introduced me to Bill Moore and the Hamilton Boys at the 1992 Grey Cup. Jim’s sense of humour was um..well on the enjoyable but corny side. I first met him between periods at Jets games in the 70’s along with Malc, Julian and yourself. He was fun to play golf and curling with and we will all miss him. It’s so nice that he left behind a wonderful family to support each other in the days ahead.
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Lana Belton
March 6, 2021 at 2:26 pm
What a beautiful life lived to the fullest. I feel blessed to have gotten to know Jim over the last years.
His curiosity and joyful zest for life were absolutely contagious. I loved to set up camp with a cocktail next to him at Christmas to listen and laugh along to his great stories. He was so warm, easygoing, and such fun to be around. Jim was a truly special man who will be greatly missed.
Brendan and I send all of our love from Berlin and wish so badly we were there to support you during this time. We’re thinking of you always.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de James Telencoe Jim March 4 1952 – February 21 2021..
Voyage Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Décès pour la Ville: Winnipeg, Province: Manitoba