JIM (JAMES) CHARLES BLOM

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JIM (JAMES) CHARLES BLOM Mr. Jim (James) Charles Blom of Winnipeg, MB, born November 16, 1935 in Regina, SK, passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, September 14, 2005. Dad worked for the Hudson Bay Company in Lynn Lake and Lac du Bonnet, MB. He met and married Yvette Chevrefils and was transferred to Balmertown, ON in 1958. Our Dad was a man with vision and an incredible work ethic. He was entrepreneurial in spirit to the day he died. In 1959, Dad opened the Rex Theatre in Balmertown and went on to open a drive-inn lunch business and a clothing store called The Gold Center Clothing Store as well as serving on town council. He had many friends and had a direct impact on the economic growth of Red Lake, ON. In 1972, he moved his family to Lac du Bonnet where he bought and operated the Surfside Restaurant until 1986. He was also the Mayor of Lac du Bonnet for the term of 1974 - 1977. During that time he also started the True Value store that is now Campbell's Groceries. Dad was a no nonsense, direct and caring person who helped many people throughout his life. He taught us the value of hard work and self-confidence. He believed that an individual could achieve their dreams as long as they did not hurt anyone. This may have been idealistic but this value made him a lot of friends and perhaps a few adversaries. Dad went up north to work for First Nations in 1992 and developed businesses in two northern communities that to this day provide many jobs and income for people who needed them. We are very proud of who he was and will miss him dearly. He is survived by his ex-wives Yvette and Teresa; daughters Diane Sauer (John) of Lac du Bonnet, Brenda of Calgary, AB and son Rick of Red Lake, ON; his granddaughters Stephanie, Kristin, and Brittany, who brought him great joy; his brother Ken (Carol) of Lethbridge, AB; sisters Diane Black (Bob) of Red Lake, ON, Joan of Vancouver, BC and Bonnie of Regina, SK; as well as many nieces and nephews who also knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his son Owen, brothers Ron, Dennis and Doug, sister Marge Turner and mother Catherine. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 23 at 1:00 p.m. at the Notre Dame du Lac Parish in Lac du Bonnet with Rev. Fr. Mirek Szynal presiding. Interment will follow in the Lac du Bonnet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, if friends and family so desire, donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 200 - 6 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. Love Lift Us Up Where We Belong SOBERING FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM, Beausejour 268-3510 or MB Toll Free 1-877-776-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 17, 2005