THOMAS JAMES (JIMMIE) HUNTER

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THOMAS JAMES (JIMMIE) HUNTER Peacefully at the Deer Lodge Centre on December 25, 1999, Thomas James (Jimmie) Hunter passed away at the age of 82. His gentleness, courage and integrity stayed with him until the very end and continue to be an inspiration for all those who knew him. Jim is survived by his wife Beatrice Girardin; step daughter Leah; children, Gayle Sharpe (Dennis), Kevin (Nadine), Catherine and Rockwell (Colleen) grandchildren, Matthew, Patricia, Theresa, Mark, Melody, Cheyenne, Justin, Autumn and Trevor, numerous great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, as well as his sister Vera Serviss of Albany, New York. He was predeceased by his sister Winnifred ODonnell; brothers, Robert, Edward and George. Jim was born in New York City, December 14, 1917. As a young man in Brooklyn, he worked as a carpenter, bricklayer and boxer. His talent for boxing later led him to win the Welterweight Boxing Championship of the Second Division in 1942. Jim came to Montreal from Brooklyn in 1940 to join the Black Watch Regiment. He served overseas during the Second World War, was at Dieppe and lost his eyesight in Bergen-op-Zoom, Holland on October 26, 1944. Upon his return to Canada, he entered the University of Toronto and completed his BA and Masters in Social Work. He had a very successful career working for various agencies including the John Howard Society, the Childrens Aid Society of Eastern Manitoba and the Family Bureau. He was committed to humanist, pacifist and charitable causes throughout his life. He taught himself to be an accomplished woodworker and it was a hobby that brought him much pleasure throughout his life. His fine craftsmanship surprised and delighted many people. His humour and wit helped him deal with the many hardships in his life and brought joy and laughter to all who knew Jim. Jim suffered a stroke on December 28, 1993 and entered Deer Lodge Centre on February 14, 1995. Thank you to the staff of T6 for showing compassion and great affection for Jim throughout his time at the Centre. Family, friends and colleagues are invited to pay their respects to Jim at the Deer Lodge Centre Chapel, 2109 Portage Ave., anytime between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 2, 2000. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Deer Lodge Centre, T6 at 2109 Portage Ave. or to the Winnipeg Harvest, 1085 Winnipeg Ave.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 31, 1999