JAMES ARMITAGE BARKER ROWLEY

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JAMES ARMITAGE BARKER ROWLEY April 20, 1932 - July 12, 2011 Surrounded by his loving wife and daughters, and in contact with his sons by telephone, Jim peacefully departed this world for the next, reminding us of his great love for us and advising us not to mourn for long, but to get on with our lives and to live life to the fullest. Jim is survived by many loved ones, including his wife Margaret (nee Kemper), sister Helen (Alistair), children: Elizabeth, Susan, Robert (Chantal), Peter (Tracey), grandchildren: Jacqueline, Veronique and George, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Raised in Montreal, son of Frances Dora Armitage and Robert Barker Rowley, Jim studied Metalurgical Engineering at McGill University and sang in their choir. He enjoyed many sports, including: rugby, swimming, tennis, curling, sailing and hockey. Gardening - particularly tomatoes and woodwork were lifelong interests. In younger days, he held a wide variety of summer jobs, including: milk delivery person, working at a boat shop, as a door to door survey taker for the school board, a lumberjack, at the smelting plant in Flin Flon and at several places in Montreal. He worked at Building Products of Canada Limited for 25 years. He was also an active volunteer: Cadet Captain; Leader of the Boy Scouts; organizing Neighbourhood Watch on his street; both delivering for (25 years) and being on the board of Meals on Wheels; buying supplies for Agape Table; chairing the Property Committee at Camp Robertson; and participating in many committees and projects at Young United Church. Jim valued his family life above all else, and enjoyed many happy get-togethers with sister Helen and family, vacations at the cottage, camping trips, trips to Korea, China, Cuba and England, and visiting with Margaret's extended family in Saskatchewan. The diamond in his crown was his wife, Margaret, who he married 50 years ago this October, and who extended his life for many years with her knowledge of CPR and dedicated care giving, for which he was deeply grateful. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Schellenberg, the staff at the Westwood Clinic, and the staff at St. Boniface Hospital for their kind and compassionate care. Jim's memorial will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 18, at Young United Church, 222 Furby St., Winnipeg, MB. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Heart Stroke Foundation, Young United Church or Canada Foodgrains Bank. Neil Bardal Inc. 949-2200.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 16, 2011