Jim passed away peacefully in his sleep, three days after a wonderful celebration of his 89th birthday with family and friends. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Muriel (nee Liezert), and their beloved son Paul; his parents Harve and Mary (nee Brown); and his siblings Ruby, Charlie, Harry, Arthur, Bill Buchanan, Clifford and Bill. He is survived by his children David (Helen), Nancy (Marshall) and Laurie (Tom); grandchildren Tyler Irving (Andria), Megan Irving, Scott Irving, Emily Perrin, Elspeth Esford, Thomasin Pinto (Richard), and Ewan Esford (Amiedawn); and great grandchildren Liam McCann, Rowan Esford, Richie Pinto, Mikayla Cobb, Olivia Cobb, Daniel Esford, Jordan Perrin-Gordon, and Isabel Irving. Except during his military service in the Second World War, and a few final years at a retirement home, Jim lived his entire life in Shanly, Ontario, a farming community greatly enriched by his civic engagement, green thumb, friendly manner and renowned sense of humour, which he retained to the very end (his wish after blowing out the “89” candle on his final birthday cake: “I wish I was 12!”) Jim was born in the handsome stone farmhouse in which he later raised his own family. He was the youngest of his siblings and the only child of the union between is father and mother, both of whom were widowed. Harve entered the marriage with six children; Mary, with one (Bill Buchanan). Jim finished high school during the Second World War and enlisted in the army in hopes of serving his country and joining his older brothers overseas. While he was training in New Brunswick, the war came to an end. He returned home, eventually buying the family farm from his father. Over three decades, Jim and Muriel became familiar faces to a new generation in the community, providing school bus service and operating the Wagon Wheel summer camp. For many years, Jim donated dozens of pumpkins from his own garden to the local Brownies. Encouraged by friends and neighbours, Jim entered municipal politics, serving for over 25 years as a councillor, Deputy Reeve and Reeve of Edwardsburgh Township. He was a charter member of the Spencerville Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, and a recent recipient of its 50-year service pin. Very proud of his Scottish heritage, Jim played a lead role in the establishment of the Legion’s pipe band. For his many contributions to his community, Jim was awarded the commemorative Canada 125 Medal (1992), a national honour presented to Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens, to their community or to Canada. Throughout his adult life, Jim found happiness in his rustic greenhouses, in his bountiful vegetable garden, in a barn enlivened by laying hens and an ever-changing assortment of other farm animals large and small, in trips to the bush for firewood, and in the wonders and joys of the changing seasons. Most of all, he found happiness in the love and presence of family and friends. He will be sorely missed. Jim’s family thanks the caregivers, nurses and other staff at Bayfield Manor, Kemptville, for providing such a wonderful home—and such excellent care—over the past few years. Friends are invited to visit the Drummond Building, 4 Ryan Street, Spencerville, on Tuesday, October 4, 2016, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the at the Drummond Building on Wednesday, October 5, at 11 a.m. Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to Community Living North Grenville, the Spencerville Mill Foundation, and the Royal Canadian Legion Spencerville Branch.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de James Irving.source
avis deces James Irving- avis mortuaire James Irving