JAMES WALTER IRVINE

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JAMES WALTER IRVINE On Sunday, March 10, 2013 James (Jim) Walter Irvine, of Winnipeg, passed away at the Victoria Hospital at the age of 84 as a result of complications arising from surgery. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Audrey; as well as children Paul (Catherine May) of Bogart, Georgia, Patricia (Trish) Jordan (Mark) of Winnipeg, and Bruce (Loren Lailey) of Calgary. He also leaves behind four grandchildren: Patrick Jordan of Winnipeg, Sara Irvine of Bogart, Georgia, and Rhys and Trevyn Irvine of Calgary. Jim was predeceased by his parents Dorothy and Stan. Jim was born in Toronto December 15, 1928 and started his working career there with Imperial Oil. He moved west to Edmonton in 1963 and later transferred to Calgary and Chicago where he worked in the oil and gas field for Union76 and Dome Petroleum. After a brief retirement, Jim went back to work with Pemberton Securities as an Investment Advisor in Calgary before retiring again in 1988. Jim was a talented athlete in his younger days, playing fastball, hockey and badminton. He loved his time playing badminton with friends in Toronto at the Carleton Club and later in Edmonton at the Royal Glenora Club and in Calgary at the Glencoe Club. He also loved golf and spent many years playing golf in Radium, Calgary, and Winnipeg and at Westbrook Village and Palmbrook Golf Club in Peoria, Arizona where he and Audrey spent their retirement years from 1989 until his surgery in November 2012. Jim will be remembered by his children as a challenging but loving father who would do anything for them. He was a strong advocate of education and pushed his kids to succeed but he was also always their biggest, silent cheerleader and most proud of their accomplishments. He fully supported them in all their educational, athletic and work pursuits. As a child, Jim grew up with little and he always vowed he wouldn't let his kids grow up the same way...and they didn't. Jim adored his wife Audrey, who was his strongest advocate and understood him the best. She always supported his creative ideas and endeavours from work transfers to house purchases and renovations to new cars, vacation condos or interesting trips. Somehow they managed to get through it all, still remaining the best of friends. At Jim's request, cremation has taken place and there will be a private family ceremony at a later date. A special thanks to staff at Victoria Hospital, especially Lynn and Joanne of Victoria Pastoral Care and Patient Advocate Services, for helping the family during the final days of Jim's life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's name to Siloam Mission in Winnipeg (www.siloam.ca).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 16, 2013