JAMES CURRIE GILMOUR

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JAMES CURRIE GILMOUR Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend: For those who knew him, Psalm 91 rings true. Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him; I will set him on high, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation. Ps. 91: 14-16. Jim went to be with his Lord on Sunday, May 9, 2010. He passed away at Grace Hospital, age 95. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses on 3 South for their care, dedication and support over the last several weeks. Jim was born in New Stevenson, Scotland on December 30, 1914, and the second of seven children. He began working at age 14 to help support the family. In September of 1930, Jim, his mother and his younger siblings left Scotland to join his father and older brother in Winnipeg to begin a new life in Canada. Jim almost immediately found a job with the City of Winnipeg as a mail boy. Jim furthered his education by attending night school where he completed high school and took additional accounting courses. Shortly after they arrived in Winnipeg, the Gilmour family became involved at Ebenezer Gospel Hall where Jim met his future wife, Jessie (Brownie) McKay. They were married October 14, 1941 and that wonderful union continued until Jim's death, almost 69 years later. Jim left the City temporarily to serve in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps for three years (1942 to 1945) and then went back to the City of Winnipeg Finance Department where he proudly worked until his retirement in January of 1980. His service with the City was marked by repeated advancement and when he retired he was the City Treasurer. Jim was appointed to the boards of several organizations both prior to and following his retirement including the Manitoba Medical Services Foundation, the Manitoba Pension Commission, the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation, Seven Oaks General Hospital and Manitoba Blue Cross, where he served until he was 85. Jim was a committed Christian and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and his faith characterized every aspect of his life. He and Brownie spent over 60 years in active, happy fellowship at Ebenezer/Arlington St. Gospel Chapel, where Jim was an Elder and very active lay preacher. He was a Camp Director at Faith Bible Camp for a number of years and was an active member of the Christian Business Men's Committee. Throughout their married life, Jim and Brownie opened their home to missionaries from around the globe and right up to his death he maintained a keen interest in the mission field. Jim had a beautiful bass voice and loved to sing. From his earliest days when he sang with his brothers and throughout his marriage when he sang duets with Brownie, Jim enjoyed using his voice to praise and worship his Lord. Jim was well known for his brisk walks and he always enjoyed riding his bike, from his childhood right up until the age of 90. His four sons and latterly his grandchildren remember with great fondness the geography quizzes and other games that he loved to play with them as they spent many happy days together traveling across North America by car. Jim also loved to keep current on world news and current events and always enjoyed having challenging discussions about a variety of world issues with his children and grandchildren. Jim is survived and will be sorely missed by: his loving wife Brownie; his children: Ian and Esther of Charlotte, NC, Robin and Karen of Winnipeg, Keith and Dianne of Vancouver, Craig and Cindy of Toronto; eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as by his brother Sam and his sisters Sadie, Mae and Betty, all of British Columbia. Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Eastview Community Church, 3500 DeVries Avenue, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Faith Bible Camp, PO Box 42059, RPO Ferry Rd., Winnipeg, MB R3J 3X7.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2010