JAMES JOHN ZAYSHLEY

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JAMES JOHN ZAYSHLEY July 28, 1916 - June 21, 2007 Peacefully, on June 21, 2007, Jim Zayshley, husband of the late Dolly (Marguerite) Zayshley (nee Baker), passed away at the Concordia Hospital at the age of 90 years. He is survived by his daughter Lynn Jaworski and son-in-law Charles Jaworski of Winnipeg as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Manitoba and across Canada. He was predeceased by his parents, Eva and Ambrose Zayshley; brothers and sisters, Peter, Michael, Joe, Anne, Polly, and Mary; and by his loving wife Dolly in 1999. Jim was a resourceful and talented man, always full of energy. He was born and raised on the family farm in Tadmore, Saskatchewan. While working as a barber in Flin Flon, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1941 and spent a brief stint building the runway at Dauphin airport. He expected to be sent overseas but was stopped in his tracks when diagnosed with tuberculosis. Chasing the cure at the TB sanatorium in Ninette changed the course of his life, resulting in a career dedicated to fighting lung disease. When the City of Winnipeg Health Department was x-raying hundreds of employees at Eaton's department store, Jim, a young x-ray technician with the City, met one of those employees, Dolly Baker, the love of his life. They were married in 1946. Jim went on to work for the Manitoba Lung Association for 28 years as Surveys Officer, travelling throughout Manitoba, organizing x-ray clinics and promoting tuberculosis prevention. At the time of his retirement in 1982 the Winnipeg Free Press published an article about him, highlighting the million miles he had covered in the province. He was proud of becoming a member of the Royal Society of Health. He appeared in the Sanatorium Board of Manitoba's film Road to Recovery. In 2003, it was an honour for him to be chosen as the subject of the Manitoba Lung Association's Christmas Seals fundraising letter of appeal. Jim and his work are mentioned in Memoir of a Living Disease, the award-winning book about tuberculosis control in Manitoba. Public health was Jim's work but carpentry was his passion. He could build or fix anything. Helping neighbours, friends, and family with countless projects gave him tremendous satisfaction. He and Dolly renovated their own home and two revenue properties, transforming these old houses. Jim was a loving father and would do anything for Lynn and Charlie. Their home is graced with his craftsmanship. Dolly and Jim loved gardening at the family's country home in Bird's Hill. Healthy produce grown there made for healthy meals. Jim was also a curler. He curled with the Civic Centre Curling League for 42 years. Although he dearly missed Dolly, Jim made the most of the years following her passing. His 90th birthday party last summer brought family and friends together for a great good time. Lynn and Charlie would like to thank the wonderful staff at Kildonan Personal Care Centre for the excellent care shown to Dad and for the family atmosphere we all enjoyed there. Jim liked to joke around. He was known for his sense of humour, even in the nursing home. Cremation has taken place. There will be a celebration of Jim's life on Friday, July 13, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. at Klassen Funeral Home, 1897 Henderson Highway, with Rev. Brent Denham officiating, and a reception to follow. Donations in Jim's memory may be made to the Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1P6. Arrangements entrusted to: KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. - 338-0331 www.klassenfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 07, 2007