WILLIAM JAMES (JIM) ONEILL DORRIAN

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WILLIAM JAMES (JIM) ONEILL DORRIAN In the late hours of July 18, 2003 our beloved father and grandfather passed away at his home. He will be forever loved and remembered by all his girls, daughter Maureen; granddaughters, Sheilagh (Rick) Hooper, Heather Allan and Marnie Le Page (Jeff) and his great-granddaughters, Brianna and Courtney Hooper and Brooke Le Page. He is also survived by his brother Arthur Dale (Connie) of Swift Current, SK, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Doris, his sister Mary (Stubbs) and brother Alan (Dale), all in 1986, and his mother Elizabeth in 1979. Jim was born in Ballywalter, County Down, N. Ireland, February 28, 1917 and immigrated to Canada with his mother and sister after his fathers death in France during the First World War. He lived in Norwood for most of his life, attending school at King George and the Norwood Collegiate. He started work at Canada Packers, but joined the Navy and went into active service from 1942 to 1945. After the war, he returned to Canada Packers where he continued to work for over 40 years. He met Doris on D-Day, they married in June 1946 and together they built their lives in Norwood. He was always involved with the community, and having an interest in swimming, he helped to start a swimming program for the students at Archwood School. He became a Certified Life Guard Instructor with the Royal Life Saving Society of Canada and through the years taught many, many children to love, but respect, the water. He built a cottage in the early 50s for Doris and Maureen in Grand Marais, and now there is a fourth generation loving that cottage. Doris became ill with Alzheimers and Jim cared for her in a way that few people ever could. He never, never gave up in spite of all the trials and tribulations and took her passing with great sorrow and pain. After Doriss death he moved to Woodlands, where he had spent a good portion of his youth in his Aunt Edith and Uncle Jacks loving care. Again he became involved with his community. He was a member and past president of the Woodlands Legion and always looked forward to helping at the Woodlands fall supper every year. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2. Jim leaves us all with a treasury of memories. We as a family are asking you to share your stories at a service in his honour, Thursday, July 24, 2:30 p.m. at MacKenzie Funeral Chapel, Stonewall. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 23, 2003