Jim was born in Halifax to Sarah Elizabeth Prosper, an unmarried Mi’kmaw woman. He spent his first five years at a children’s orphanage in Halifax before being moved to the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School, where he was raised until he voluntarily enlisted for service, at the age of 18, with the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII.
After the war, he was the first Mi’kmaw to receive a degree in engineering in Canada, having graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from St. Francis Xavier University and (then) Nova Scotia Technical College, now part of Dalhousie University.
Jim had a long career in the federal public service with the Communication Security Establishment (Department of National Defence), mostly during the cold war era. Later in life, he became active in Indigenous rights in Canada, submitting an independent brief to the 1991 Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. He was also an avid book collector on Indigenous history, donating his collection to Dalhousie University at a recent ceremony marking the opening of their new Indigenous space, Ko’jua Okuom, in the Killam Library.
He raised his family in Ottawa, where he became instrumental in the Alta Vista and Riverside Park community as a coach and convenor of hockey, baseball and figure skating.
Family and friends knew Jim to be the unofficial Southmore Drive flood control specialist, baker of fine breads, appliance repairman and purveyor of painful puns. He was a proud engineer, loved new gadgets and became a master stocking stuffer at Christmas. Above all, he was known to everyone he met as an extraordinarily charitable and generous man.
He is loved by his wife, Marlene and a large extended family, children Ron (Lorna), Rob (Henriette), Lisa (Dave), Joshua (Keshia), grandchildren Matthew (Hailey), Amy (Kellan), Dana, Michael (Maria), Samantha (Tyler), Luca, Nyjah and great-grandchild Evander.
Deepest thanks to the entire, incredible team at St. Patrick’s Home of Ottawa.
Jim is to be laid to rest at the Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.
Livre de visiteurs
Stephen Fournier
Dan Kalil and Beth McMillan ( Nicholas and Maia )
Your Father left a positive impression while I was a young sports loving kid. I will remember him as an ' influencer ' to many people. May he rest in peace.
Marc Hess
Dearest Uncle, thank you for the example you were to me and the loving memories you’ve given me. I will miss you immensely and love you eternally.
M. Iris Hess
With my true love for peace and eternal rest to my very special brother in law Jim.
Tim Restoule
Fond memories, forever with me. A huge portion of my younger years spent looking up to in admiration. Always encouraging. All my love to the Prospers
Pam Graham and family
Uncle Jim was such a wonderful man to all. He will always be with you in the memories you keep, the stories your family tells, the laughter you share and the love you have for him. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Jan & Joe Bannon and family
We will always remember Uncle Jim as a kind, gentle, and generous man. He had a quick wit, always with a twinkle in his eye, and a beautiful infectious smile.
His contributions to his community, his country, and his people were immense.
You will be missed. Rest well Uncle Jim.
Sending love to Auntie Marlene and family
You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill and Sharon Cruickshank
We’re so sorry to hear of uncle Jim’s passing. What a shock, Jim was such a gentleman, an inspiration for all the boys in his extended family. A brilliant but understated man. You will be missed uncle. Our deepest sympathies aunt Marlene,Ron,Rob, Lisa and your families
Patti Holmes-Drysdale and Scott Drysdale
Sending lots of love and prayers for Uncle Jim and Aunty Marlene - Ron-Rob-Lisa and Joshua! My fondest memories of Uncle Jim when we were all young is how he coached all his kids teams and we were fortunate enough to see Ron and Rob play baseball and hockey and see Lisa figure skate ! He was always doing for others! A very very kind individual who loved life to the fullest ! I remember him bringing Josh to Toronto for hockey and making sure he stopped to visit everyone !
Uncle Jim I love you and always will - you will be in my thoughts and prayers forever
All our love Patti Scott Heather and Ryan
I will never forget playing for Mr Prosper on the A&W Cubs little league baseball team. He was a wonderful man.