Guy James Gifford
2020-2020
GIFFORD, Guy
James
As a result
of a heart attack suffered on October 20th, GUY JAMES GIFFORD (Jim)
passed away peacefully on November the 10th at the age of 95,
surrounded by family at his home in Cambridge, as was always his wish.
Jim was the thoughtful, loving, and beloved husband of Jeanette Bessie
Gifford (nee Roberts) for 67 years. A cherished father to oldest son
Guy James Gifford, Jr. (Cindy) to “favourite daughter”
Jennifer Louise MacLaren (Gary), and to youngest son Jeffrey Alan
Gifford (Donna). Jim was predeceased by his mother Helena
Mary Gifford (nee, Gaunt), father Edward Guy Gifford, mother and
father-in-law Bessie and Edmund Roberts, daughter-in-law Christine
Isabella Davidson, in-laws Belle & Archie, Daisy &
Richard, Mayme & Fred, Elizabeth & Dr. Bill, Evelyne
& Earl, Lawrence & Rita, Willie & Amelia,
Eddie, and Freddie. Remembered always in his thoughts are his brother
Ian and sister Sheila.
Known as
“Pops”, he was loved and will be greatly missed by
grandchildren Ashley (Chris), Ryan, Emily, Grace and Faith (Michigan),
Danielle and Riley, and by his great-grandchildren Charlotte,
James, Adelaide, and Henley (Australia). Pops was
also loved and will be greatly missed by Kayla and Ryan
(Donna). He will be sadly missed by sister-in-laws Irene
Roberts (Eddie), and Margaret Roberts (Freddie), and will be missed by
many nieces and nephews, great and
great-great nieces and nephews.
Born
in Toronto Jim settled in Brampton with Mr. and Mrs. Holley in 1937.
Mrs. Holley, known as “Ma Holley”, was a loving mother to
Jim. Her spiritual guidance led him to be Confirmed in the
Anglican Church. He later became a member of the United Church of
Canada when marrying Jeanette. At the age of eighteen in January of
1944 Jim joined the RCAF becoming an Air Gunner. Eventually
posted to CFB Moncton, World War II ended before he was stationed
overseas. On his first leave in 1946 Jim joined Legion Branch 15 in
Brampton, remaining a member (for 75 years) until his passing. Upon
returning to Brampton after being honourably discharged, Jim started
Gifford’s Taxi and sponsored a basketball team bearing his name. Jim
was a lifetime member of the Lorne Scots Regiment, a Shriner, a Mason,
and a member of The Friends of the Canadian War Museum for over 25
years. He was proudly one of “The Brampton Bunch”, a group
of friends from the Class of 1939 who met regularly for many
years.
Jim and
Jeanette met in 1952 while both were working at
A.V.Roe (Orenda Engines in Malton) home of the Avro Arrow.
Falling in love immediately, Jim and Jeanette married in August of
1953 at First United Church in Port Credit. They settled in
Port Credit, and then moved to Erindale Woodlands in Mississauga. Jim
and Jeanette became partners in business, running Highway Brokers, a
successful import, export, and customs brokerage company for some
thirty years. Over the years they travelled in Canada, to the USA, and
to Europe. They retired to Cambridge in 1992, and were always thankful
that they found such a wonderful neighborhood with such exceptional
neighbours.
A left-hander,
Jim was accomplished at basketball, baseball, curling, and golf, with
many trophies and newspaper articles as evidence. He was a fine dart,
pool, and billiard player, and as the “historical
evidence provides”, quite a poker and craps player. He
was gifted at math with the ability to do complex multiplications in
his head his entire life, always amazing those that witnessed – think
human calculator. Jim also had a great singing voice,
regularly serenading Jeanette with songs from the Big Band
era. Jim and Jeanette were avid sports fans, following golf,
hockey, curling, baseball, and basketball. They rarely missed a Blue
Jays or Raptors game over the past twenty five
years.
Jim was a kind
and generous person, friendly to all. Truly one of a kind, his undying
spirit will be greatly missed. On November 6th, 1995, he
penned a note for Jeanette that read “Death is only the start of
the beginning of another portion of your
life”. As our world is now without him, the universe, the
great beyond, the place that is heaven, is now with him. As a family
we will be forever grateful for all the years that we had with him as
husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great-grandfather. We
will carry the Gifford name proudly in his
honour.
A family
service was held on Thursday November 12th. The family would like to
thank Anglican Minister Reverend Marita Williams for providing
personal prayers and blessings for Jim and family. The family would
like to thank Corbett Funeral Home in Cambridge for the considerate
care and attention. Jim was cremated and will be interred in the
family plot in Mississauga. A Celebration of Jim’s life is planned for
2021.
The family
would like to thank the following for their care and kindness over the
years; Dr. Michael Lawrie, Dr. Adam Wilson, Dr. A. S. Pandey, Dr.
Michael Wang, Dr. Dennis Kim, Pharmacist Sanjay H. Patel, favourite
PSW Nancy Barrows, and favourite nurse Debbie Coyne. The family would
also like to thank all of those at Cambridge Memorial Hospital who
provided kindness and care to Jim and family during his stay,
including among the many, Dr. J. Matthew, Dr. M. Matthews, the nursing
staff, and all staff on 2A and 4B.
A donation in
the name of Guy James Gifford (Jim) made
to The
Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command Poppy Trust
Fund, c/o Brampton Legion
15, or to a
charity of one’s choice, would be greatly appreciated by Jim
and the Gifford family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Guy James Gifford 20202020..
Death notice for the town of: Cambridge, Province: Ontario