La célébration de
James Joseph McPhee
13 juin 1939 –
22 novembre 2020
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to James (Jim) Joseph John Michael McPhee, who passed away unexpectedly, after a brief hospital stay, with his loving wife of 40 years, Phyllis McPhee (nee. Murphy), by his side.
Born and raised on Virtue Street in Parkdale, Toronto, it was there that Jim forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Known as Jimmy in his early years, he was proud of his school days at Holy Family School and later at St. Mike’s (Saint Michael’s College School). The mission of St. Mike’s is to graduate young men who live lives of faith, character, and service, and this successfully describes the man Jimmy McPhee would become.
At the young age of 17, he took a job with Bell Canada. From Lineman to Management, Jim enjoyed a career that spanned 35 dedicated years. He loved the City of Toronto, the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a fiercely proud Canadian. He valued community and volunteered throughout his life as an altar server, a First Aid trainer, coach of the Holy Family hockey team, and then for many years alongside Kenny McGraw, a minor league hockey coach. Later he took over a regular route delivering Meals on Wheels when his mother Kay was no longer able to serve.
Jim was curious about everything from mechanics to family genealogy, and there was almost nothing he couldn’t build or fix. He loved the outdoors all of his life and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also loved to travel and see new places. Some of his fondest memories were unique adventures he took with one or both of his daughters – attending Mass with the Pope, seeing polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, and driving from Holland to Switzerland to attend a World Junior Hockey Cup gold medal game (Canada vs. Russia).
Jim and Phyllis were married in 1980 and have spent their years together working, traveling, caring for family, living, and laughing. Visits to Las Vegas and childhood friend Freddie Robinson was a frequent and much-loved vacation destination for them both. Equally cherished were their trips to the Miramichi, New Brunswick, to spend time with the many much-loved members of the Murphy clan. Of course, many a weekend were spent going back and forth to their beloved cottage. From the custom railroad tie fence to the deck to the ‘Me Too,’ Jim never stopped improving and customizing his “Ideal Spot’ overlooking the Crowe River. Throughout the years, he and Phyllis were amazing hosts to countless family and friends. Always the strongest personality in the room, Jim was charming, quick-witted, loved to sing, and was a great storyteller. He kept us all laughing. His energy and enthusiasm for life have left us all too soon.
Family was incredibly important to Jim. His father, James McPhee, immigrated from Bathgate Scotland as a very young child and died when Jim was just a boy of fifteen. He was a devoted son to his mother, Katherine (Kay) McPhee (nee Kelly, 1911-1997), who was from a large, close-knit Irish family, many of whom still live and around her hometown of Peterborough, Ontario. In 2015, Jim lost his younger and only brother Dan (1945-215) (Peggy Murphy 1945-2002). Dan’s three children, Colleen (Keith Buker), Amy (Chris Saksons), and Dan (Christine Prince), all had lots of holidays and laughs with their Uncle Jim.
Jim and Phyllis have two daughters and three grandsons. Tracy-Anne lives in Whitehorse, Yukon, with her husband, Bruce Demchuk, and son, Noah Demchuk. Tracy is an elected member of the Yukon Government and currently serves as Attorney General, Minister of Justice, and Minister of Education. Debra McPhee and sons Reed Horner and Quinn Horner live in New York City, where Debra is the Dean of the Graduate School of Social Service at Fordham University.
Jim’s Catholic faith was important to him throughout his life. A small private prayer service will be held at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church on Monday, November 30, 2020, followed by interment at Mount Hope Cemetery. A celebration and memorial gathering will be arranged as soon as circumstances permit. In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to toast Jim with a glass of rye & ginger and take a few minutes to leave a memory or a message below for the family.
Signer le livre d’or
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Joseph McPhee 13 juin 1939
22 novembre 2020..
turner & porter funeral directors
Death notice for the town of: Toronto, Province: Ontario
Phyllis, We have many fond memories of Jim, his teasing and stories. My early years on Northcliffe will always be wonderful fun times that I will never forget. Living in different cities and growing families always keep you busy but getting that first Christmas card from your house to ours always takes me back to good memories. Sending our love to you and your family at this difficult time.❤️