Sadly, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, Jim York, 81, of Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Jim was born Oct. 17, 1927 in Fort Frances to the late Matthew and BillieYork. He later was united in marriage to his loving wife of 57 years, Velaire (nee Grinsell), in Windsor, Ont.
Jim worked a variety of jobs over his lifetime, ranging from a police officer for the town force to selling cars and operating his own security service. He owned and operated several businesses in Fort Frances, including a laundromat, the East End Confectionary, and Wilhelmina Antiques.
Jim also loved to cook, and over the years had catered for the Fort Frances Curling Club and Frog Creek Golf Course kitchen, as well as operating the P.A. Hotel restaurant and the food booth during summer months.
Jim was a familiar sight while chaperoning Fort Frances High School dances, concerts, and sporting events at the Memorial Arena. He also was an assistant coach for several years with the Fort Frances Muskie football team.
Jim’s family was always first on his priority list, with having weekly Sunday family dinners and cooking for all the holidays. He also loved to fish and hunt, and the yearly moose hunt trip with his sons and friends was the highlight of his year.
Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Velaire; their children, Kathy Burns, Peter (Linda), Bill (Rose), Julie (Ron) Halverson, and Robert (Corinne), all of Fort Frances, Ont.; their grandchildren, Steven, Michael, and Alyssa York, Brian (Vanessa), Christina (Derek Dowty), and David York, Ryan, Jordan, and Brittany York, and Billy and Bobby Halverson; and one great-grandchild, Annika York.
He also is survived by one sister, Jackie (MacDonald) of Toronto, Ont.
Cremation has taken place at Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Mn., and a family memorial service will be held in early spring.
In lieu of flowers, should friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 444, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8 c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may offered at www.mem.com
Fort Frances Times
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