In loving memory of James “Jim” Donald Black who passed away on Friday February 10, 2023 at the age of 82.
Jim leaves behind his awesome wife Ilona (Jorgensen) just shy of their 60th wedding anniversary. Her love and perseverance and immeasurable dedication to her husband and family will never be appreciated enough or ever forgotten.
He is the cherished father of Jamie (Kim) Black, Marcus (predeceased August 18, 2022) and Shara. Loving Grampa to Jackson and Lexi. Dear brother of Donna Breault predeceased (Don), Bruce (Patti) and Kevin predeceased. He also leaves behind wonderful nieces and nephews, extended family and many lifelong friends.
Jim was born in Beachburg Ontario to Ruth (Davidson) and John Black on February 7th, 1941, with the family moving to Garson when he was one year old. He would later use his record setting swimming and lifeguarding skills to work as a counselor at Mine Mill Camp and once pulled a teenager out of a car that had crashed into the Veuve River saving his life.
He began work for Inco when he was 19 years old in the General Office in Accounting and later in Purchasing – Investment Recovery where his dynamic personality ensured success, eventually retiring at 54. Throughout his life he also took on tax and bookkeeping engagements for many longstanding and appreciative clients.
Jim was an avid golfer and member of the Idylwylde Golf & Country Club for over 40 years and took great joy playing with his golf cronies but most of all with his sons. There were several summers he played over one hundred games in a season; not easy in Sudbury. He possessed the rare ability to accurately recall every shot of golf he ever played and managed a hole-in-one on more than one occasion; 17th Lively, 14th Idylwylde and the 19th several times when the big money was on the line. He enjoyed golf trips to Michigan with the Idylwylde guys and South Carolina with his sons. He relished playing French River, where he taught his boys to play. He also savored The Jewel of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island as well Garson, Gore Bay and courses in the Toronto – Waterloo area.
Jim cherished time spent with family at the Jorgensen camp in French River and on trips to provincial parks as well as Florida and Mackinac Island. After years of waiting, he delighted in the arrival of his grandchildren for whom he had boundless pride and adoration.
He loved blues and rock and roll music and had the pleasure of seeing various live concerts including his favorites Jerry Lee Lewis, the Rolling Stones and B.B. King.
He will be remembered fondly for his pride and conviction, great sense of humour, competitive spirit not only in golf, but in cribbage and Crokinole where he often achieved champion status.
Jim’s family has immense appreciation for the compassionate staff of Pioneer Manor (Trillium) where he resided most recently and was treated with the utmost care, respect and kindness.
Interment will take place at the Black family plot in Beachburg at a future date. If desired, donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to the Lougheed Funeral Homes.