JAMES ALLAN BARSS

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JAMES ALLAN BARSS James Allan Barss (Jim), a cherished son, brother, friend, husband, pastor, father, and grandpa, passed away peacefully at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC on April 18, 2012, after suffering a devastating and unforeseen cardiac arrest one week prior. He was surrounded by family and there was a sense of love and peace in the room as he took his final breaths and went to meet his Maker. Born March 25, 1950 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jim grew up in Portage La Prairie, Winnipeg, and Carberry, Manitoba. The third of six children, at the age of 11 he lost sister Valerie and parents Gordon Barss and Beatrice Barss (nee Pierce) in a tragic car accident involving almost the entire family. In 1976 he and his sisters were deeply saddened by the premature death of their much loved brother, Chuck Barss. Jim married the love of his life, Patricia Stokke, in 1972 and the two would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on April 29, 2012. He loved talking with family and friends, going for coffee, watching sports, doing crosswords, playing scrabble, baking, singing and listening to music, devouring sweets, walking Butchart Gardens, helping people through tough times, and bragging about his family. Jim's greatest joy in his final years was the birth of his granddaughters, Maryjane and Laureena, whom he would call daily. He is lovingly remembered by wife Pat, sisters Bev, Patti (David), and Barb (Mike), son Tim (Erica), granddaughters Maryjane and Laureena, nephews and nieces Colleen, Michael, Kevin, Jenna, Sean, Nicole, Aaron, Robyn, and Jennifer, and a host of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. A celebration of Jim's life was held at Victoria's Parkdale Church, 1095 Tolmie Ave., at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22. Condolences may be sent to www.mccallbros.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 28, 2012