James (Jim, Jimmy, Butch)’s Obituary
The center of our worlds, that is what he was to us. He was loving, caring, generous, kind. He worked hard, he played hard, he loved his family fiercely.
He was born on a Friday the 13th, which we like to say explains a lot! He had a devilish sense of humour and loved to joke around with everyone. One of his favourite days of the year was April Fool’s Day when he would devise the greatest jokes on those closest to him and then revel in his own hilarity!
He was sometimes obsessive. He couldn’t get enough of his favourite things, like his word puzzles, sudoku, and headcheese from the deli. He was obsessed with hockey and especially the Toronto Maple Leafs. ‘Do NOT talk to him when the Leafs are playing!’ He also loved his Blue Light, the Blue Jays, the Argos and watching endless hours of curling.
He spent his winters on the ice, fishing with his buddies from before dawn to after dark. It didn’t matter how freezing cold it was; he was always excited to go. His buddies, not as much!
He also loved partridge-hunting, and moose-hunting at the Pipestone Hilton with the boys, summer fishing and gardening. He was a master of so many skills!
He was a great story-teller and always had all of his friends and family crying with laughter, telling stories from his youth (you did what???) to tales from his many adventures with his hunting and fishing buddies. You guys are such a crazy and wonderful part of his history.
He also loved to argue, or ‘debate.’ He was always right. If you didn’t believe him, just ask him!
As time took its toll on his joints, he had to give up many of his much-loved hobbies, such as snow-machining and ice-fishing and later, hunting and summer fishing. He always managed to keep a garden growing every summer, although it got a little smaller over the last few years. He enjoyed his time out in the yard, doing odd jobs, tending to the garden, watching the birds and talking to neighbours and friends walking by. Happy Hour was every night around 5:30 when family and often friends would gather around the picnic or kitchen table and enjoy a few (or a few too many) beer and each other’s company.
Every Friday was Family Night and we’d have a fast dinner and then play a game or two of Canasta. He was the King of Canasta, with most matches being won by him and mom, the Queen of Canasta. Did he ever love to win!
He was an amazing person and there is so much more we could say about him. We are devastated and lost without him.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years and 11 months, Phyllis, his children Ken and Kathy, both who adore him; his twisted sisters, Betty (Bill) Bies of Orillia, ON and Barb Weeks (Darrell) of Kitchener, ON. He was their super-hero big brother. He is also remembered by his brother and sister-in-law, Andy and Louise Trottier, and by numerous nieces and nephews.
He is pre-deceased by his parents, Clarence and Agnes McLelland, his in-laws, Art and Catherine Hiltz, brother and sister-in-law Kerwin and Karola Hiltz and his sister Jeanne Spalding.
Many thanks to Dr. Diane Zielke for her dedication to dad’s welfare, especially over the last 3 years. We really can’t thank you enough for everything that you do.
Also thanks to Dr. Andrea MacDougall at Curans Heart Centre in Thunder Bay, and to the staff and nurses at the Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital Emergency Department.
Thank you to Tracy from The Red Lake Chapel for your support, guidance and friendship.
And a special thank you to Sheila Carlin. You know why.
A public viewing will be held Thursday, June 16th from 7 to 9 pm at the Red Lake Funeral Chapel.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
If friends desire donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, R.L.M.C. Hospital Foundation or Charity of Choice through the Red Lake Chapel, Box 237, Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Jim Jimmy Butch Wesly McLelland 2022..
Red Lake Funeral Chapel Limited
Death notice for the town of: Red Lake, Province: Ontario