JAMES SIDNEY MCDONALD

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JAMES SIDNEY MCDONALD With family by his side, James (Jim) McDonald passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 after a courageous battle with cancer. Jim was born August 12, 1955 in Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his father, Sidney McDonald (1991) and his mother, Margaret McDonald (2003). Left to mourn his death are his beloved children Adam and Michael (and their mother Kim,) two brothers, Wayne (Fern) and Don (Gloria), and sister, Barbara (Denis Petrowski) and their families; uncles Clem (Irene) Mossop, Jim Mossop and Toby McDonald; aunts Doris McDonald and Jonnie Christie; many cousins, and his best friend, Ken (Deb) English. Jim was passionate about his sons, his brothers and sister (and their families) and his work as a firefighter. Jim was a man with strong values; family came first and friends next. It was Jim's nature to help others in every aspect of his life. Jim had a wonderful relationship with his two sons, Adam and Michael. He said that the happiest days of his life were the days his boys were born. The three boys spent many hours together doing guy things. They shared a common passion for camping, traveling to major league baseball and hockey games, golfing, special vacations to Mexico and Las Vegas, and playing card games. Jim was a great planner of all activities, leaving no loose ends. His second career could have been an event planner. Jim lived on Cambridge Street in River Heights for his entire childhood and he attended Montrose and Grant Park schools. In the days when children were shooed outdoors, Jim and his three siblings spent happy times at Crescentwood Community Club skating, swimming and playing hockey; building forts and playing hide and seek in the forest south of Grant; and playing games after school with neighbourhood children. Jim had special memories of times at the family cottage in Sandy Hook, annual family crib tournaments at Victoria Beach, and special trips south with his brothers and sister. Jim was a proud firefighter from 1977 to the present. In 2004 he was promoted to Lieutenant and to Captain in 2007. He worked in nine fire stations in Winnipeg and became part of the larger firefighter family. Close friendships were developed during these years and members of his firefighter family spent time together enjoying fishing derbies, golfing tournaments and helping each other with home projects. Although Jim left us too early, by all accounts he was a successful man. That a man is successful who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much, who has gained the respect of the intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had. (Robert Louis Stevenson) The family would like to thank all the staff of 5E (special thanks to nurse Nicole C.) and 8A (special thanks to nurses Cinda and Dana) of St. Boniface General Hospital. We wish to acknowledge Tristen, RN and Ainslee, a fourth year nursing student, who supported us and cared for Jim in his final hours and whose compassion will always be remembered. Jim wished to thank Dr. Karen Humphreys for her care, compassion and support. Thanks also to Dr. Joel Gingerich, Dr. Richard Blouw, Dr. Rakesh Gera, Dr. Fiona Crow, and Dr. Jana Pilkey. A service to celebrate his life will be held on Monday, November 16 at 1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Pentecostal Church, 955 Wilkes Ave., Winnipeg. Jim died in the line of duty and this will be acknowledged at the service. Cremation has taken place. A private family interment will be held at Brookside Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim's memory to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, Inc. (1160-675 McDermot), the Winnipeg Firefighters Burn Fund, Inc. (303-83 Garry), the St. Boniface Palliative Care Unit (409 Tache) or a charity of your choice.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2009