Mr. James Patterson
Mr. James “Jim” Patterson of Chatham passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on Sunday, June 6th, 2021 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance at the age of 86. Cherished son of the late James and Bernadette (Betty) Patterson. Beloved husband of the late Diana and companion of the late Joyce Luyt. Loving father of Jeni Powell and her husband John of Chatham, Jeff and his wife Dale Bellaire of Waterloo, Jim and his wife Mary Anne of Erieau, and Julie Krieger and her husband Paul of Pain Court. Proud grandfather of Jesse, Josie, Joseph, Sebastian, Brett, Jacquelyn (Mark), Kathryn, Allie, and Ross. Devoted great-grandfather of William and Diana. Jim was predeceased by his sister Vivian Lane.
In his early years, Jim was an exceptional athlete who
excelled in baseball, basketball, volleyball, and hockey. As a slugging first
baseman, baseball was the sport that Jim experienced his greatest success
signing with the Washington Senators. He played in their minor league system
for three years with the Coco Beach Indians and the Panama City Flyers.
Life of a professional athlete is fleeting, and Jim decided
that marrying the love of his life, Diana, and starting a family and a business
career was more important.
He began his career as a bank teller, pivoted to the dairy
industry as a deliveryman, moved to the financial services industry and settled
into the retail auto industry.
Jim worked for multiple General Motors automobile
dealerships in progressive leadership roles including Gil Robertson Chev-Olds,
Chatham Motors, John Logan Chev-Olds and Jack Carroll Pontiac- Buick.
Eventually, Jim bought his own GM auto dealership – Jim Patterson
Chevrolet-Oldsmobile Ltd – located in Blenheim, Ontario. After many successes
as the leader of his own dealership, Jim retired in 1993.
Jim continued in the auto industry as a consultant helping
numerous GM auto dealerships throughout Southwestern Ontario until the age of
70.
At that time, Jim embraced retirement spending his winters
in Florida eventually buying a home in North Fort Myers and residing the rest
of the year at Cardinal Oaks his property on the north shore of Lake Erie.
He enjoyed playing golf throughout his life achieving two
holes in one. He enjoyed travelling with his companion Joyce, plus his friends
and family.
In his later years, Jim enjoyed playing cards & other
activities with his friends and spending time with his family, in particular
his grandchildren.
Jim was an ardent fan of his children’s and grandchildren’s
activities and a lifelong fan of both the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit
Tigers.
Jim had a special quality to connect with everyone that he
met with his warm smile, engaging personality, incredible stories, optimism,
and his ability to listen. He was a real people person. He never lost that
sparkle in his eyes. He truly believed and lead his life under the premise that
“today is the first day of the rest of your life”.
Family and friends are invited to the Alexander & Houle Funeral Home, 245 Wellington St. West, Chatham, 519-352-2710 on Wednesday June 9th, 2021, with visiting from 2 to 4 pm, and 7 to 9 pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, you must schedule your visitation time in advance by calling the funeral home at (519) 352-2710. All attendees as mandated by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario must wear a mask at all visitations and funerals. A family service will be streamed live from the funeral home on Thursday June 10th, 2021, at 1 pm. Interment Evergreen Cemetery, Blenheim. Friends planning an expression of remembrance are asked to consider Diabetes Canada. Online condolences are welcomed at www.alexanderfuneralhome.ca
Visitation: Wednesday June 9th, 2021 with visiting from 2 to 4 pm & 7 to 9 pm.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, you must schedule your visitation time in advance by calling the funeral home at (519) 352-2710. All attendees as mandated by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario must wear a mask at all visitations.
A family service will be streamed live from the funeral home on Thursday June 10th, 2021 at 1 pm with Deacon Steve Cartier.
Expression of Sympathy: Diabetes Canada
FUNERAL LIVESTREAM– to be posted.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Patterson 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Chatham, Province: Ontario