JIM COATES

Condolences & Memories (6 entries)

• I met jim when were 16. We were the best of friends right up to his passing. I still recall attending a social @ St James Hall where "Jimmer" and I spotted Janice and her good lookin' friend Donna sitting alone together. I could tell Jim was smitten so we asked them to dance. One thing led to another, we married them and the rest is history! Jim was a great guy and a cherished friend. He was a pacifist by nature and we all knew not to count Jim in, which was fine with us, when we got into a tussle. He'd find a good spot to sit and smoke until the dust had cleared. One funny story: The "boys" were sleeping over in Jim's back yard in his dad's tent trailer. We'd quaffed a few (underage) beers and we were getting pretty loud. Sharon came out back and hollered that she wanted to see Jim ASAP! We're all in our undies ready for bed. Jim wobbled up to his feet and prepares to jump out the door of the trailer which was only a 1ft. drop. As he goes to jump, I think it was Danny Sellinger, grabs his undies from behind. His undies rip off at the waste band and drop to his ankles. He hits the ground right in front of Sharon with his arms wide open, wearing nothing but a waste band !! LOL Seriously though, Jim was a super guy and I have an abundance of great memories of my times with Jim. RIP Jimmer - Posted by: Greg Merritt (Close friend) on: Jan 06, 2016

• Jim & I met at high school. He was 19 and I was seventeen. Seems like a whole lifetime ago. We were kids and we were in love. We played guitars together and had many many wonderful moments that we shared. We married, made a beautiful daughter together and the years went by. We were married 28 years when I decided to leave. It came to an end, but, we remained friends. I said my goodbyes to Jim beside his hospital bed and told him that death was not the end, but a new beginning. Rest in God's arms Jim- Janice - Posted by: Janice Coates (Ex wife) on: Oct 28, 2014

• Jim and I were very close in age and were great buddies growing up in Winnipeg. The sleep overs were the best and we typically were in doodoo for hijinx of one sort or another. Around age 10 or so we went from my house out across Taylor Ave. just past Harrow school to the CNR lands. It was spring and the swamp area had lots of open shallow water. Located a floating large wood door or something. Each with a long stick for mud bottom push propulsion off we went. We named our raft. We also could not resist a few explorations off the boat in water and mud over our rubber boots to above the knee. When we returned to my Mom's house the fib was fully concocted ...the boat seemed safe but Jim slipped into the swamp..I tried to catch him but ended up joining him...all a simple accident. It worked. Then in Oct 2003 my Mom passed away (12 years ago today). Jim was at the memorial and approached me....TO INTRODUCE HIMSELF...it had been close to 40 years since I had seen him. I said to him "bet you can't remember the name of our raft on swamp back in about 1961....without hesitation he says "The GerJim".....WOW what a memory. And I have wonderful memories of him, sister Sharon and his folks, Uncle Jim and Aunty Dorothy. RIP Captain - Posted by: Gerry Fox (cousin) on: Oct 23, 2014

• When I first met Jim he lived on Belvedere St. 2nd house from Bruce Ave. and I lived on Mandeville St. I remember when Jim got a snare drum for Christmas, WOW! That was so amazing. He graduated from playing the Quaker Oats containers. Probably much to the dismay of Mr. & Mrs. Coates. From there came the jam sessions in the Coates' basement with Jim on Drums, Doug Smith on Key Board, Dennis Olson (Ole) on Guitar and Wally Shane played Bass. The rest of us guys just listened and critiqued the sessions. The guys were my self Paul Tilley, Bill Alderdice, Danny Selinger, Greg Merritt, Danny Saranchuk and with the occasional visit down the basement from Jim`s sister Sharon probably thinking were so immature. I have great memories of those days. I also remember one time when a whole bunch of us slept over in Bill Alderdice's Dad's tent trailer and we all decided to go out and raid some gardens in the middle of the night, only to get chased by a guy that thought we were trying to break into his garage. Many years later I had the pleasure of working with Jim when he came to work at Birchwood Motors. Jim was a great person, and I am privileged to have known Jim and been his friend. I will always remember Jim and the fun we had going up. Jim you were one of the great guys! Thanks for the memories. Your friend Paul Tilley - Posted by: Paul Tilley (Friend dating back to when we were just kids) on: Oct 21, 2014

• Just heard from Aunt Doreen about Jim. I know I hadn't seen him in a long time, but I have been sitting here thinking of all the shenanigans that we got into when we were kids! (Including shooting all the windows out in Uncle Harry's barn) Wish we hadn't been so far apart and hadn't lost touch with your side of the family Sharon, your family, Jim's family, please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Blessed Be!! - Posted by: Norma McKee ( Coates) (Cousin) on: Oct 19, 2014

• We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of Jim. Our sincere condolences to the family. Arlene and Charlie - Posted by: Arlene Lenchuk (Former Sister-in-Law) on: Oct 19, 2014