DR. JAMES EARL IRVING

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DR. JAMES EARL IRVING

1944 - 2026

At Toronto General Hospital on June 27, following a hopeful and successful surgery, Jim lost his battle for recovery, with his loving family by his side.

Jim leaves behind a family who loved him dearly. His wife of 56 years, Sue. His children Sean (Jayme), Suzanne (Parker), Chris (Lise-Marie) and Jenni (Bryan). His grandchildren Mackenzie, Sydney, Avery, Lachlan, Elle, Élise and Bodhi. He will be deeply missed by his brother Gerry (Carol), his brother-in-law John Robertson (Barbara Jean) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Viva and father William.

During his formative years, growing up in Arcola, Saskatchewan and Flin Flon, Manitoba, Jim developed a fierce love for the prairies and the game of hockey. Whether tying his toboggan to the back of a horse-drawn dray or spending hours on outdoor ice with frozen toes and a hockey stick in hand, he loved it all. At Christmas, in Grade 8, Jim moved with his family to Winnipeg and attended Churchill High School where he formed lifelong friendships. Both an athlete and a scholar, by the time Jim graduated he was playing hockey with the Winnipeg Rangers, had won a Governor General's Medal for academic achievement, had given a Valedictorian speech at year end and had been crowned King of Churchill by his peers!

Jim continued to balance his hockey and academic lives when he attended the University of Manitoba and obtained a Commerce degree, while also playing hockey with the U of M Bisons and doing a tour with Canada's National B Hockey Team to Finland, Sweden and Russia.

Individual awards during this time frame included: 1963-64 - Manitoba's Outstanding Junior Athlete Award and the Carl Pederson Memorial Trophy for outstanding scholastic and athletic achievements, as well as the 39th Field Cadet Trophy for most gentlemanly player combined with outstanding ability in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. 1965 - University of Manitoba Athlete of the Year and the Dick Herbertson Memorial Trophy for all round ability in athletics and academic pursuits, and, from the School of Commerce, The Mrs. V. McLaughlin Memorial Award. 1996 - Induction into the U of M Bison Hockey Hall of Fame.

Team awards included playing on the U of M Bisons Hockey Team which won the national C.I.A.U. championships in 1964-65. This team was later inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1967 Jim spent the summer in Africa with Operation Crossroads Africa before heading off to West Berlin, Germany to play hockey for the 1967-68 season. In 1968-69 he rejoined Canada's National Hockey Team.

Not one to scale back his ambitions, in 1971-72 Jim went to U of W to pick up some pre-med courses, welcomed his first son into the world and went to Lake Placid, New York, where he played with the Canadian University All Star team in the World University Student games. The following year with two young children at home, Jim started his medical journey and upon graduating moved with his family to Dauphin where he worked as a GP. Four years later it was time for a new challenge – a five-year residency in Orthopaedic Surgery. When Jim graduated with his FRCS in 1986, he had four wonderful children and a career that he loved.

When first married, Jim was introduced to lake life at Sue's family cottage at Winnitoba in the Whiteshell and took to it like a duck takes to water. He loved the backcountry canoe trips, the satisfaction of chopping firewood for the fireplaces (our only source of heat) the fun and competitiveness of card games with the younger generation and of course, Happy Hour on the deck or dock. Over the years the lake became a magnet for family from near and far. When not at the lake or working, Jim and Sue were lucky enough to travel the world together.

Always a team man, Jim relished his time spent with The Magnificent Seven fishing group, his epic Voyageur Route canoe companions and the golfers at Breezy Bend and beyond.

Jim was a hard worker, an adventurer, an athlete, scholar and family man. He lived a rich and full life. He is missed more than we can say.

The family is deeply grateful for the exceptional and compassionate care of Dr. David Christiansen and team in Winnipeg, Dr. Laura Donahoe and Dr. Marc de Perrot in Toronto, and for the dedicated round the clock care provided by all of the ICU doctors, nurses and staff.

If desired, a donation can be made to the United Way or a charity of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held at Breezy Bend Country Club on Friday, October 2, at 1:30 p.m.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 18, 2026