On July 27th, 2022, we lost one of the kindest and most generous people that has walked this planet.

 

Jim was a true “gentle man”, an explorer, and adventurer who passionately shared his time and wisdom through storytelling and modelling. He held the highest standards for himself and encouraged and uplifted others. A conversation would never pass without him contributing insights that made you stop and think. No subject was out of bounds, no person overlooked.

 

This deeply loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, and uncle truly left the world a better place. His love of his family and numerous friends was matched by his desire to help others through volunteering in the community in which he lived.

 

Jim loved Leaside where he grew up and later his farm in Artemesia Township where he and his family chose to live. Jim was the best kind of dreamer and restless soul. His quest for country property over the years led to a derelict farm in Artemesia Township purchased at an auction in 1986. As with most things, Jim could see the potential of this 100 Acre parcel though the outbuildings had fallen, and the house had burnt down. It is on this land that Jim, Mary Claire and Matthew built a special home for their family and soon developed deep relationships personally, professionally, and politically.

 

Jim worked hard and endlessly gave back to his communities including coaching young people in hockey and baseball and mentoring them on educational and career choices. He promoted the importance of libraries as Chair of the Library Board in East York and in Flesherton and focussed on improved health outcomes for residents by serving on the District Health Council, the boards of Grey Bruce Hospital in Owen Sound and Markdale Hospital and for the past 6 years the South East Grey Community Health Centre. Jim was also vitally interested in helping develop the municipalities in which he lived while maintaining their unique characteristics. Some of that interest started in Kenya when he was part of the York University team helping to develop land use planning policies and was further developed when Jim was elected a Councillor and then Reeve of Artemesia Township. Jim’s love of historical and contemporary visual art led him to the Board of the Tom Thompson Memorial Art Gallery in Owen Sound where he was Vice Chair for seven years. In recognition of Jim’s contributions and volunteering, he was awarded the 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award by the York University Department of Geography.

 

Jim believed in lifelong learning.  As editor of the 1968 Leaside High School yearbook, young Jim wrote, “Don’t let your schooling interfere with your education.” Yet Jim pursued ongoing formal education receiving his Honours BA and MA from York University, a mediation certificate from Harvard University and then his PhD from the University of Victoria in 2017.  Jim also held faculty appointments at Ontario and British Columbia universities. In December 2021, as a Professor of Geography-adjunct at the University Victoria, Jim was still teaching and mentoring students in the Health, Environment and Community course.

 

Jim’s business acumen was evident early when he quickly rose through the ranks at CIBC to become Vice President of Marketing. He then decided to set-up his own management consulting business. The scope of his influence on public and private sector organizations was broad including the integration of federal and provincial hospitals; program development at the Master of Health Sciences program at University of Toronto; and curriculum development at the then new Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Sudbury.  Projects occasionally led to short-term, full-time engagements. Jim has been the Academic and Campus Director, Georgian College, Owen Sound Campus, City Manager of Owen Sound, President and CEO of Weeneebayko General Hospital in Moose Factory, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre, and Director of Planning and Development of Four Arrows Regional Health Authority in Winnipeg for the past four years.

 

Jim loved trains and travel. He went by rail across Canada over 70 times as a tour escort and for pleasure. His nomadic ventures included Japan on business and Ukraine to teach medical professionals. He created many wonderful memories with his wife Mary Claire with train rides throughout the UK and Europe.  From exploring places off the beaten path to taking the train under the English Channel to have lunch with friends in Paris, Jim lived life to the fullest.

 

Jim always found time to be a role model and cheerleader for his beloved son Matthew and grandson Manny. He rejoiced in their accomplishments, taught them how to skate, passing on his beautiful skating stride, and attended all their sports games not to mention some deafening concerts. Abstaining from colourful language, Jim’s infrequent and gleeful “hot damn” became a family joke. Jim loved sports as a participant and spectator. He played hockey for years and enjoyed golf. His critical eye could analyse any flaw in a swing whether it was golf or baseball. As a sports fan, his undeniable favourites were the Maple Leafs and Blue Jays.

 

Jim was the fun and “crazy” uncle who thought bouncing around on a trampoline with three or more kids, eating birthday cake with your hands and having rides in the bucket of his John Deere tractor should be the norm. His infectious joy shone bright at every gathering with family and friends, from annual Christmas tree decorating parties and summer reunions at the farm, to the special birthday and graduation celebrations at the Royal York Hotel, his home away from home. And not to be forgotten is that “Chef Jimbo” loved to cook, preferably without a recipe.

 

Jim exemplified a meaningful life. Sometimes it seems that Jim lived several lifetimes in one with more ideas than there were hours in the day. Jim Harrold, the sine qua non for a loving, generous, and healthy community and society.

 

Jim is already missed by his family: his loving wife of 40 years and best friend Mary Claire; his beloved son Matthew (Megan) and his best bud, grandson Manny; big brother Doug (Elsa); favourite sister Lynda (Phil); brother-in-law Barry (Pat) and his nieces and nephews: Alex (Sara), Greg (Rebecca), Steve (Joselyn), Bryan (Kristal), Kyle (Emily), Lynsey (David), Kelsey (Michael), Debbie, and Kevin (Tammy); and numerous great nieces and nephews.  Jim was predeceased by his parents Harv and Betty Harrold and his nephew, Michael.

We will always treasure your smile, your love, laughter, wit, style, guidance and your attitude that anything and everything is possible. Oh, and Jim, we promise we will try to respect your irritating guidance that we be prompt!

 

Please join in celebrating Jim’s life with his family and friends at the Harrold residence (address on website) on Saturday, August 27 from 1-4pm with memories shared at 2:30pm.

 

The family would like to thank Dr. Brian Power, Marilyn Crawford, and everyone at the Chapman House Hospice for their exceptional care and kindness. If you wish, memorial donations to Chapman House Hospice would be appreciated.

• First Name : Jim
• Last Name : Harrold
• Funeral Home : Fawcett Funeral Home, Flesherton

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