James Merriam
There is sadness at The Funny Farm today as Jim Merriam’s family
shares the news of his passing on September 19, 2020.
Jim died peacefully in the Chesley Hospital, a hospital whose
continued existence today is in large part owed to Jim’s
relentless lobbying to prevent its closure. He was surrounded by the
love of his family as he finally succumbed after a 21-year battle with
cancer. Jim’s best friend and wife Mary Ruth was also by his
side as she has been for so many years, when the end came.
When it comes to describing Jim in his obituary, we all wish he had
left behind one he had written himself because none of us left to
mourn his passing have the writing skills he did. Jim was a brilliant
writer and his career as a journalist showcased those skills. His
writing could make us laugh, could make us cry, could fire us up to
support organizations or causes and could sway our opinions. He was at
times a reporter, a city editor, an editor, a publisher, a radio
personality, a syndicated columnist, a lay preacher, a Master of
Ceremonies … on and on the list goes. It is little wonder we are
intimidated at the prospect of writing a fitting obituary.
Jim’s passions and enthusiasms were well known. He has never
wavered in his support of G.R.A.C.E. (Georgian Riding Association for
Challenged Equestrians), an organisation he was involved with in
various capacities since its inception. His editorials played a
pivotal role in convincing the South West LHIN it was not going to be
able to stand in the way of a hospice being built for our area; and in
the Chesley Hospital not being closed. He had been brought up in a
political family and never lost interest in politics nor did he align
with a party for life, instead he judged each party on its platform
and changed allegiance when he felt it was warranted. He was a huge
supporter of country and western musicians, especially local musicians
and he MC’d many memorable shows. He used his ability to get his
thoughts across in his sermons when he became a lay preacher. He was a
mentor and friend to many young and seasoned journalists. He will be
missed by so many whose lives he touched along the way.
Above all, Jim would want us to remember him with a smile. His sense
of humor was second to none and his laughter could fill a room. His
‘two loyal readers’ as he called them, would actually
number in the thousands as people eagerly awaited the next chapter of
The Funny Farm tales. We got to learn firsthand about the characters
and names of mules and the dogs and all the happenings at the home
farm. It was little wonder his column was syndicated and he continued
to write it and the papers continued to publish it long after his
retirement from The Sun Times.
As we say goodbye to Jim, his family and friends will feel the loss of
his presence deeply. Yet, our memories will be filled with thoughts of
a man who cared deeply for his family, the people around him and his
rural roots and a man who loved and was loved, most especially by his
wife Mary Ruth, his children Tyson (Lara), Kiera (Matthew), Cathy
(Jim) and Pam (Jeremy) as well as his grandchildren Aaron, Thomas,
Isaiah, Emma, Abbey, Christopher, Melissa, Sean, Patrick, Claire,
Tori, Tyler and Ryan and two great grandchildren Brady James and
Blakely Elizabeth. He was predeceased by two infant grandchildren Liam
and Rachael and his daughter Rhonda (Peter).
At Jim’s request his casket will leave from the Paul H.
Eagleson Funeral Home in Tara on Thursday morning, September 24 at
10:30am on a wagon pulled by his mules Sly and Jenny and driven by his
very good friends Durk DeVries and Don Roi, accompanied by Jim’s
grandson Sean, to arrive at the Tara Cemetery at 11:00am where due to
COVID-19 restrictions, a private graveside service will be held.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be appreciated to
G.R.A.C.E., Tara United Church or Tara and Area Food Bank. Condolences
may be expressed online at www.paulheaglesonfuneralhome.ca
Click here to View Condolences
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Merriam 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Tara, Province: Ontario
Jim was a friend and coworker of the late Vint Tillotson. We shared many enjoyable times with he and his wife during the years they lived in Lethbridge. My sincere condolences to his family. Pat Tillotson