“It’s Magic Time” – Jim
On September 20th Jim celebrated his birthday and then departed from us. Due to a long battle with poor health he opted for MAiD. His final birthday was celebrated with eggs benedict, champagne and caviar, as only Jim would have it. He passed surrounded by his loving family Nancy, Angela, Casey and Laura.
Ask anyone and they will tell you what a storyteller he was. Jim loved regaling others with tales of adventures and misadventures alike. Whether it was travelling through Europe, theatre anecdotes or wild nights with excellent company, Jim surely had a story you needed to hear.
From a young age he had a passion for the Theatre and theatrics. It was through theatre in high school that he met his lovely wife Nancy. Although he was involved in theatre as a youth, he never made it his true calling until later in life. Jim volunteered at The Ottawa Little Theatre as a sound designer for many years, and when the time came he took up the mantle as Stage Manager replacing his Uncle Ken. Jim was in many ways inspired by Ken’s joie de vivre and his love of the theatre. As Stage Manager Jim was everyone’s best friend and personal cheerleader; clad in a Hawaiian Shirt and Birkenstocks. Best known for trivia before the shows and devil may care cocktails in the wings afterwards, he was the heart of the theatre.
Jim was the epitome of “live life large”. His message to family and friends was to do the same.
A special thank you to Shelley Rogers, Jim’s primary care nurse not only for being a consummate professional but also for her unfailing compassion.
His wish was for everyone to love theatre. In his memory please feel free to donate to The Ottawa Little Theatre, or for the non-thespians the Rideau River Conservation Foundation.
Please rest in peace, you were always a good friend many years ago.