JAMES BERTRAM WAITE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JAMES BERTRAM WAITE Jim passed away suddenly on April 14, 2000 at the Hospital in Bracebridge, ON at age 78. Jim is, and will be, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Margaret of Bracebridge; sons, Bob of Bracebridge, Jim, Peter and Doug of Winnipeg; granddaughters, Kelly, Lisa and Natasha of Winnipeg; brother, Jack and family of Calgary. Jim was born in Galt, ON on April 6, 1922, the first of two sons born to Dora (Stocks) and Bert Waite of Yorkshire, England. His family moved to the community of Porcupine, near Timmins, in 1925 and to nearby Schumacher in 1930. He grew up in and loved this gold-mining area. He helped his dad build their house. He attended Schumacher schools and returned for two of the popular high school reunions. He was a top student. In 1941, he enlisted in the army and achieved top marks in his radar class. He served 3 years as a radar operator in England and Europe. He enjoyed Yorkshire hospitality on his leaves and later in his life when he returned four times to the part of England he loved the most. Returning to Canada, Jim earned his B.A. and B.S.W. at the University of Toronto, working in the McIntyre mine in Schumacher during the summers. Jim married Margaret Smith on September 6, 1950. Sons were born in 1952 and 1954. He began his social work career in Timmins and Ottawa, then took his family to Winnipeg in 1956. Twins were born in 1961. In 1963 he returned to the U.of T. and earned his Master of Social Work. He held several positions in Winnipeg. Granddaughters were born in 1976, 1978 and 1981. He completed his career as a director of one of the social work units at the Health Sciences Centre, retiring in 1987. In 1993 Jim and Marg moved east to Bracebridge to be near the cottage. Jim was a scholar, a reader of literature and a collector of wonderful books. Books occupied a lot of space in the home and were favourite gifts. He loved music and would always sing as he prepared his famous family dinners. We all remember his unique wry sense of humour, his sayings, witticisms and expressions. He loved reciting verses, composing limericks, punning, kidding and wordplay. He was a good carpenter; his work was always solid. He built a great deck at the cottage. Family camping trips through Ontario to Muskoka and Schumacher were an annual event for years. He enjoyed walking, skating, scrabble, board games, crosswords, badminton, painting, following politics and the news, and contemplating the world while smoking his pipe. Jim was very knowledgeable, but very straightforward and practical. He was unassuming, self-deprecating, sentimental and compassionate. He was aware of peoples hardships and he tried to make a difference. He loved, and was extremely proud of, his sons and his granddaughters, who brought great joy into his life. He encouraged and was very keen about their endeavours and achievements. Jim suffered a stroke in early 1996 and had been finding life a struggle, though his mind was still sharp. On his recent birthday his family members had a chance to speak with him and express their love to him. As was his wish, cremation has taken place. His family and some friends shared in a memorial service and a celebration of his life at a funeral chapel in Bracebridge on April 18. His granddaughters, though unable to attend, were there in spirit. A reception followed. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jims memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice. Jim, Dad, Grandpa, Kid Brother. We loved you, we love you and we miss you. You live on in our hearts and memories. Deep peace be with you.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 29, 2000