JAMES GARVEN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JAMES GARVEN 1912 - 2000 Peacefully, on Wednesday, December 27, 2000, James (Jim) Garven passed away in his sleep at Red River Place in Selkirk, MB. He was 88. Jim is survived by his two daughters and their families, Pat MacDonald and her friend, John Steves of Winnipeg (Leigh Garven Turner and his friend Jenn Gold of Montreal and Colleen Ann Turner and her husband Paul Harvey of Calgary) and Jean Hummerston and her husband Les of St. Andrews (Kelly James Hummerston of St. Andrews and Tanya Frances Hummerston and her partner Duane Zorniak of Winnipeg). Also surviving are Jims sisters, Jennie McMillan (Kelowna), Edith Cheston (Regina) and Louise Read (Calgary), as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents, James and Agnes Garven; his brothers, John, Grahame, Munroe, Hugh, William and Bruce Garven; his sister Isabel Downs; his son-in-law John (Jack) MacDonald and his beloved wife Frances. Born in Pense, SK, Jim was raised on the family farm. He served with the Kangaroo Regiment as a Staff Sergeant in the Canadian Army in the Second World War, commanding tanks in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Jim married Frances Farquharson in Regina in 1944. After returning from the war, he drove taxi and later did custom combining in Canada and the United States, eventually moving to Portage la Prairie where Jim and his brother Hugh operated several automobile and farm machinery dealerships. During the 1950s, Jim and Frances moved to Winnipeg with Jean and Pat. From that time until his retirement in 1980, Jim worked in several car dealerships. Jim spoke often of his years working for Sam Stern and Davis Dveris at Winnipeg Motors on Main Street. Even in the months before his death, one of Jims favourite activities was to regale his grandchildren with stories about particularly memorable car sales. Following Frances death in 1978, Jim moved to Selkirk to be near Pat, Jean and his grandchildren. Many of their fondest memories are of Jim doing "foreman" duties while his family planted the garden, fixed the tractor or cleared snowdrifts. Perhaps Jim and Frances greatest legacy is the strong work ethic they instilled in their children and grandchildren. The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to the staff at Red River Place for their attention and compassion towards Jim over the past several years and to Dr. R. Lindenschmidt for his considerate and respectful care. Jims life was celebrated in a private family service. His ashes were interred at Brookside Cemetery with his beloved Frances. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frances memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2B7 would be appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 30, 2000