LAWRENCE JAMES (JIM) LEGGE

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LAWRENCE JAMES (JIM) LEGGE January 13, 1925 to September 5, 2008 On Friday, September 05, 2008 Jim passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Grace General Hospital. He left us with the comfort that he was reuniting with the love of his life; our mom Barb who we lost a year ago. Jim will be lovingly remembered by his four sons; Mike, Barry, Tom (Lea) and Bob (Carol); grandchildren, Shannon, Robyn, Brock, Michael, Matthew, Kaitlin, Dan (Shannon), Marni, Jillian and Kevin; brother Ron (Lynn) Legge; sisters-in-law, Anne Legge and Marjorie Legge; brother-in-law Bob Graham; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dad was predeceased by wife Barb of 57 years; parents Alice Maude and Horace Legge; sisters Ethel (Dennis), Dorothy (Andy), brothers Bob, Stan and Roy (Betty). Jim was born in Lethbridge, Alberta. As an 18 year old morse code operator Jim awaited his chance to serve in the Second World War as it came to an end. Dad then began his 38 year career with Air Canada where he met Barb in Winnipeg. Jim and Barb married in 1950 and raised four boys in St. James eventually settling on Doran Bay. Jim was the self-acclaimed rinkrat . Jim could be found late Saturday nights in an old Air Canada parka, garbage mitts, smoking an El Producto cigar flooding the rinks of Crestview Community Club. Jim showed much dedication to the Crestview Community Club in both hockey and baseball development through his volunteering and coaching. Jim was the consummate sports fan. Foremost were his sons. Hockey was the Legge family life and this rinkrat followed his sons from snowbanks, the St. James Civic Centre and Winnipeg Arena. He just wanted to watch his boys play. This enthusiasm continued onto the cheering of his grandchildren's sports and activities. Jim loved to travel with Barb and their Air Canada friends in their early years to Barbados and Florida. He then enjoyed their retirement life with friends at Traverse Bay and his vegetable garden. The family day picnic was his proudest moment to show off his grandchildren. He loved to read, watch sports and complete jigsaw puzzles. He also loved to play cards with any reluctant opponent that would endure his competitiveness . Jim was an intelligent humble man with quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. His most important and obvious dedication was family. His pride in his sons was unspoken but the pride that he felt for his daughter-in-laws and grandchildren were loudly proclaimed to anyone that would listen. He loved Lethbridge and often reminisced of his upbringing with his sisters and brothers. He spoke often of missing Barb over the past year who he felt never left his side. He is now at peace with her. Dad, we will always miss you. We love you and are glad you and Mom can rest. We know you will have the rink freshly flooded for us when we reunite. Special thanks to staff at Grace Hospital. Special thanks to staff and residents at Sturgeon Creek II and especially Barb Rach. A memorial service is to be held on Tuesday, September 9 at 11:00 a.m. at Assiniboia Christian Centre, 3390 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Z3. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations may be made in Jim's honour to the Special Olympics Manitoba Inc. or the Children's Wish Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 08, 2008