Obituary of James H. Whiteman

James Herbert Whiteman January 24, 1923 – January 3, 2020 It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of James Whiteman on January 3rd at Cama Woodlands, Burlington. Jim was pre-deceased by his eldest daughter Wendy, and is survived by his wife Barbara (nee Redpath), his son Peter (Eva Boritas) and daughters, Debbie (Rob Lewczuk) and Donna (Danny Lewczuk), eleven grandchildren & nine great grandchildren. James was a devoted family man who was always there for his wife and children. An Electrical Engineer, and Chief Petty Officer of the Royal Navy, Jim was born in Ipswich, England, and travelled extensively during his naval career, in particular Korea, China, Japan, Canada, United States, Bermuda, Trinidad & Tobago, France and Italy. While on shore leave in 1947 in Montreal, he met the future love of his life, Barbra Redpath from Jamaica. It was truly a whirlwind courtship with Jim proposing marriage just a few days later, at the top of Mount Royale. Jim went back to sea, and didn’t see Babs again until the following year, two weeks before their wedding on VALENTINE’S DAY at Stoneyhurst, her parents Estate in St. Paul’s Parish, Jamaica. Despite coming from two different cultures, Jim and Babs enjoyed almost 72 years of an unconventional and loving relationship. Within a few years of starting their family, Jim left the British Navy and worked in the Sugar Industry, firstly in Jamaica, and then as Chief Engineer for Demerara Sugar Terminals in Guyana, South America for seven years, prior to making Canada home, where they developed lasting friendships with other expats. Jim was a very talented and innovative ‘chap’, and his greatest passion was building model train engines, and designing layouts for his track and surrounds. Of course, being a die-hard sailor, he also designed and built model tugs, and a sailboat. Being very diverse, Jim had interests ranging from gardening, cooking, playing tennis, and in retirement golf and badminton several times a week, until he and Babs were in their late 80’s. On the flip side Jim was an avid reader, loved music and was quite the jokester, whenever he could get an audience! Family and friends are invited to gather at Glen Oaks Funeral Home on Friday, January 10th at 10:00am. A Funeral Service will be held at 11am. In the chapel followed by a time of refreshment and fellowship in the funeral home reception centre. In lieu of flowers donations to the Alzheimer's Society would be greatly appreciated. We would love you to share a few of your memorable moments with Jim, and of course tell a JOKE (or two) at his reception.