James was Journeyman Scaffolder/Carpenter, Lifetime Entrepreneur of JAG Enterprises, and was also an Electrolux and Watkins Representative for a good part of his early life in Ponoka. James was also an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus.
James dearly loved his wife Beatrice of 57 years, his daughters, Deborah, Kimberly and Pamela, and his grand and great grandchildren. James loved dancing, farming, bingo, casinos, playing the organ/guitar/accordion, travelling, playing cards, horseshoes, crokinole, huge bonfires, pit BBQs, Family Reunions, attending family weddings, and his cat. Up until his mobility was compromised, he was busy working (until age 73), tinkering in his shop (until they downsized and moved to town), and travelling either with Mom or solo.
As a Carpenter he was involved with many different projects, notably: St Augustine School, the Catholic Church in Camrose, the Red Deer Library, their last home in Red Deer, and the endeavour of building a foundation for, and moving, the old Bobtail School that became the family residence in Morningside. James then switched his career to Journeyman Scaffolder that took him to gas plants all over Central Alberta. He liked to be a part of the hustle and bustle of life.
Born in Provost, Alberta, Jim moved a number of times, working various jobs until coming to Ponoka where he met Beatrice who became his wife in 1962. They moved to Camrose, Blackfalds, and Red Deer before settling down on a parcel of land in Morningside, Alberta in 1972.
James is survived by his wife Beatrice; daughters Debbie (Daren) Scovoranski, Kim (Reg) Bloomfield, and Pamela (Darren) Hoffman; grandchildren Ashlee, April, Allison (Gabe) Castella-Chin, Jake, Chance, and Marlon; 3 great-grandchildren Levi, Hannah, and Malaki; 9 brothers and sisters Eleanor, Ida, Elsie, Harold, Armand, Alvina, Serena, Paul and Janet; as well as many numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Martin and Mary, and his brother Archie.
An evening Prayer Service will be held Tuesday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ponoka Funeral Home with the Funeral Service to take place at St. Augustine Catholic Parish in Ponoka at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. A memorial luncheon will follow at the Ponoka Legion. The Interment Service will be held in Provost on Thursday, April 11.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Augustine Parish Building Fund, The Knights of Columbus, or Old MacDonald Kennels.
He will be greatly missed by his Family and Friends. You're free of all barriers here on earth, I'll be seeing you.
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