Passed away suddenly on Wednesday September 20, 2023, at his home at the age of 83. Jim of Stayner, beloved husband of Karen (nee Sinclair). Loving and devoted father of Julie (Joel Wallace), JoAnne McAllister and Janet (Michael Twilley). Cherished grandfather of Alexandra and Jacob Girard. Jim was a kind, warm, larger than life man. Everyone he touched immediately felt safe and protected in his presence. He was a charismatic, loving man and beautiful story teller. Jim was a legendary fisherman on Georgian Bay known fondly to all out on the water. No one knew that water like Jim did as he fished it since he was a young boy. He was also a passionate hunter since a very young age and well-known in the local hunting communities spending endless hours in the bush with his beloved hunting dogs or in a tree stand waiting for that big buck.
Jim’s hunting and fishing fame came second only to his incredible athletic ability as a baseball pitcher. Jim was an exceptional talent that played for over 20 years. He was known far and wide for his pitching and hitting abilities. “Big Jim” or “Wendell” as he was known has been described as “pure magic” to watch play. Jim still holds many local records 60 years later. These achievements were honoured when he was inducted into the Collingwood Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. It was a proud moment for him that his accomplishments would be marked in history.
Everything Jim did was done with passion and he gave everything he had to whatever that may be, but mostly loving his family and his precious dogs.
He is loved by so many and will be deeply missed. A celebration of his life will be held on September 30, 2023, at Duntroon Hall in Duntroon, On, from 1pm to 4pm. There will be a short ceremony at 1pm with a come and go from 1:30pm until 4pm. If desired, a donation to “Gentle Jake’s Coonhound Rescue” https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/gentle-jakes-coonhound-rescue-2/ would be appreciated by his family. To sign Jim’s Book of Memories, please visit www.carruthersdavidson.com