James HOLMES

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HOLMES:James “Jim” Donald. Suddenly on Saturday, November 7, Jim passed away at the age of 62. Jim was born in Belmont, Manitoba on July 1, 1947 to May and Oliver Holmes. He was the youngest of 3 and the only boy. Jim was passionate about sports from the time he was young, whether it was baseball, hockey or curling. This never changed and many hours were spent with his children, relatives and friends, either talking about the game, playing it or making friendly wagers. Jim met many new friends and lifelong friends at the rink. Jim also enjoyed hunting with friends and relatives. He especially enjoyed goose hunting with his uncles Harry and Jack. Jim was eager to get out into the business world at a young age, so he left school and set out to build his business career. He started with IGA as a meat cutter then moved in 1968 to Calgary to work for Safeway. This just wasn’t enough for Jim. In 1969 he married Doris Lussier. Norma was born in 1971 in Calgary. Shortly after Jim saw the opportunity to own his own business and moved his family back to the Prairies to open “Treherne Lucky Dollar”. Not long after in 1974 Donald was born. Jim operated the store until 1989 when he sold it. Jim took a short break, however, in Jim’s life there was really no such thing as a break. Jim could be found helping out at the local curling club or doing odd jobs to help out around town. The Bay Northern Stores offered Jim the opportunity to explore the north and share his talents with others. In 1993 Jim purchased “Carman Meats”. This was a new and exciting challenge which he tackled head on. Hard work was no stranger to Jim. Countless hours were spent making sure everything met his expectations and standards of quality. Jim’s customers came from far and wide. He was always coming up with new items to try but was best known for his bacon. In 2001 Jim met his friend Brenda. Jim enjoyed spending time with Brenda’s children Crystal, Colen and her grandson Ayden and looked forward to teaching Ayden how to curl. Jim sold his business in 2008. Never a man to just sit down and take it easy. Jim was looking forward to care taking the curling rink in his “retirement”. The rink was a place that he could always be found throughout his life. Fittingly, this is where he died, in a place that he loved. He leaves the cherish his memory and celebrate his life: his children Norma (Peter), Donald (Nicole), their mother Doris and her family, his friend Brenda and her children Crystal, Colen and grandson Ayden. He also leaves behind two sisters Joan (Roddy), Donna (Elwood), seven nephews Shannon, Clark, Lee, Neil, Brian, Mark, Craig and a niece Joanne. Jim was predeceased by his parents Oliver (1995), May (1999), nephew Ian (1981), nephew Scott (2007) and his beloved pets Zoe and Scamp. Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Carman Community Hall with Rev. Harold Kenyon officiating. Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Ducks Unlimited orKidSport. Jim was passionate about wildlife and sport and the family asks that in his memory you graciously support these causes.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 12, 2009