FREDERICK JAMES

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FREDERICK JAMES Peacefully, on Monday, October 30, 2000, Mr. Fred James, age 93, passed away at the Seven Oaks Hospital. Fred was predeceased by his first wife Sophie in 1980, and second wife Edna in 1998; his parents, Jim and Doris Gniazdoski and brother Walter. He is survived by his sister Olga Kramer of Creston, B.C.; daughters, LeBeau Jakobson, Betty (Hal) Clarke of Beaumont, Texas, Reenie (Al) Dyregrov, Tania (David) Schissler of Burnaby, B.C.; grandchildren, Cary, Brent, Blair, Todd, Jodi, Gord, Frederick and Mark; great-grandchildren, William, Zachary, Caroline, Scott, Cameron and Shae-Lyn. Fred was born on a farm near Sifton, MB on May 5, 1907. His early education took place in Sifton and Dauphin, MB. He graduated from the University of Manitoba in 1930 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, with honours, "Magna Cum Laude". At the depth of the depression with no employment available in his field, he incorporated and successfully operated a furniture manufacturing company, The Nu-Way Upholstering Co. Ltd., from 1931 to 1971, 40 years. Fred was involved in the incorporating of Settlers Savings and Mortgage Corp. and was also an Executive Director of Community Investments Ltd. and East-West Investments Ltd. Early in his career, he took a deep interest in Junior sports and became a member of the Canadian Ukrainian Athletic Club, (C.U.A.C.) in 1941. He was president of the club from 1948 to 1951 and was made an Honorary Life Member in 1952. During his term of office, the present Sinclair Park Club House was constructed. He was a founding member of the C.U.A.C. Curling Club in 1942 and was president for a term. He has also donated the Championship Trophy for the last 60 years. One of the founding members of the Ukrainian Professional and Business Club, he was president from 1955 to 1958 and was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in 1971. Accepted into the Winnipeg Rotary Club in 1956, he boasts a 35 year perfect attendance record and is holder of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He was presented with the Community Services Award by the City of Winnipeg in 1970 and the Good Servant Medal from the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews in 1991. Fred was also an active Board Member of Rainbow Stage in its early stages of development. In 1962, he was elected to the Board of the Holy Family Nursing Home and was appointed Chairman from 1967 to 1970 when he was made an Honorary Life Member and was an Advisory Board Member until his death. Prayers will be said on Sunday, November 5, at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 6, at 11:00 a.m. also at Cropo Chapel. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Brent Jakobson, Cary Jakobson, Blair Clarke, Dr. Todd Clarke, Jodi Dodds, Gord Bolin, Frederick Bolin and Mark Bolin. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made in Freds memory to CancerCare Manitoba, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Holy Family Nursing Home or a charity of their choice. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL in care of arrangements - 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 02, 2000