Saturday, February 24, 2024
Audrey, Ron & Cathy,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our family has many treasured memories of Jim, and we’d like to share our favourite with your family.
When we bought the house next door, we had two young boys, no extended family, and we didn’t know anyone in London. We were lucky to have Jim and Audrey take us under their wings. Two months after we moved in was the first time Jim had to break into our house—yup, there were other times; we were a handful.
Audrey and I were chatting in my backyard when 4-year-old Jeff, who didn’t want to go to kindergarten, decided to lock mommy out. I cajoled, I scolded, and I bribed. The door remained firmly locked. Audrey tried to no avail and went home to get Jim who calmly told Jeff that if he didn’t unlock the door, Jim would open it. The door remained firmly locked. With a chuckle, Jim said, “Guess I’m going home to get tools.” He returned and opened the door to find a wide-eyed Jeff staring at him. “Told you I could open it,” Jim said with a grin.
For us, that memory personifies who Jim was: kind, calm, and capable. He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humour. Our family is blessed for having had him in our lives and we will miss him.
Our deepest condolences. Ray, Lori, Brian, and Jeff Gonsalves.
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