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JAMES STANLEY SWITZER
Born: Dec 20, 1937
Date of Passing: Feb 16, 2017
Offer Condolences or Memory Make a donation to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation
JAMES (JIM) STANLEY SWITZER 1937 - 2017 On February 16, 2017, Jim passed away peacefully at the Health Sciences Centre after a six-month struggle with esophageal cancer, his wife Sharon Lee (nee Leavens) at his side. Jim was born to Ruth (Gowan) and Stanley Switzer in Carberry, Manitoba, on December 20, 1937, and grew up in the Brookdale area on his Gowan grandparents' farm until coming to Winnipeg after finishing school in 1954. In 1955 he and Sharon met on a blind date. They connected and married six years later in 1961, eventually having two sons, Cameron James (1965), and Bruce Daniel (1967). Over the years, Jim worked at CPR, MTS and the Manitoba Provincial Government where he met many life-long friends. He especially enjoyed his years in Workplace Safety and Health. Jim retired in 1993. In 1966 Jim became a volunteer fire fighter in the Municipality of North Kildonan until the amalgamation with the City of Winnipeg occurred. Through this volunteer service, he gained many more friends that have been with him through his life. As our sons grew, Jim was actively involved with their sports as assistant coach (hockey) and coach (baseball) at North Kildonan Community Club. He and his buddies also enjoyed hunting and fishing together every fall, as well as snowmobiling in the winter. 1980 to 1997 were "The Cottage Years". Jim built a cottage at Booster Lake, and through that experience added to his expanding number of great friendships. He took his job as the "Fire Guardian" at the lake, very seriously. After retirement, Jim and Sharon enjoyed many exotic holidays, cruises and land tours, traversing the globe. Golf was also a favourite past-time for Jim during his retirement years. He golfed with eight or nine other retired friends twice a week, enjoying the camaraderie as well as the mutual teasing. Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sharon; son Cameron; daughter-in-law Tanya Gidge Switzer; son Dr. Lorne and his wife Carol and their son Conor Clearsky; sister Margaret and her husband Garland Garton; sister Faith and her husband Rae Pacholuk; sister Trudy Winterton; sister-in-law Marion Leavens Laforge; goddaughter Jodie Kehl; numerous nieces, nephews and other family members. Sadly, Jim was predeceased by our son, Bruce Daniel Switzer in July 2016; his mother, Ruth Duncan; Sharon's parents, Frank and Helen Leavens; Sharon's brother, Daniel Louis Leavens and more recent brother-in-law Robert (Bob) Laforge; as well as his three nephews, James, Harvey and David Garton. A gathering of friends in memory of Jim's life will be held Thursday, February 23, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery, 4477 Main Street, with Reverend Deacon Helen Hunter presiding. Cremation has taken place. Interment will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those who desire, may choose to make a memorial gift to CancerCare Manitoba, or a charity of their choice. Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 204-338-7111
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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 21, 2017
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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Jim I hope that you'll be playing golf with my dad again in the heaven like you two have always wished. Then please teach him a better word than "Sh*t" that became his first Canadian word he picked up from you. I miss you so very much. - Posted by: Mayuko Kanemaki (former daughter in law) on: Feb 22, 2017
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Always enjoyed working with Jim on the North Kildonan Volunteer Fire Dept. He was a great guy, good officer and, at the right times, a funny fun-loving person, loved by all. My deepest condolences to the family. He will be sadly missed. RIP Good Buddy. - Posted by: Mike Mayer (Friend and Fellow Firefighter) on: Feb 22, 2017
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I shared this on my Facebook page when I learned of Jim's passing... If you go to my profile's "About" page there are seven people listed as my relatives. Five of them are my blood relatives. Two are people I have a close relationship with and consider like family. There are plenty more I feel the same way about, but FaceBook stopped asking me to do so, and I rarely go to my own profile page. But today, I lost one of those relatives. Jim Switzer has been a friend of mine since the old Multiply days. His son, Cam and a number of others of us were in a close knit group who met and became more than just on-line friends. That group extended to Jim and his wife, Sharon, and their other son, Bruce. I even visited him at a big gathering up in Canada one summer. They are a fantastic family. I felt so bad when they lost Bruce last year. And now Jim has gone to join him in the next chapter. Hail and farewell, Jim. Godspeed, Stepdad. Love, Pumpkin - Posted by: jen adamo () on: Feb 21, 2017
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Having played golf and poker with Jim, he will be greatly missed not only for his quirky card games but also for his advice not to eat bananas before golf because they attract mosquitoes. His warm smile and quiet demeanour will always be remembered. He was a great guy! - Posted by: Bill and Barbara Miller (Friend) on: Feb 21, 2017
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Our family spent many years camping with the Switzers and many other families. Memories that will last a lifetime. So sorry to hear of Jim's passing! - Posted by: Sonia Feakes (nee Nimchuk) (Friend of the Family) on: Feb 21, 2017
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Sorry for your loss. I remember Jim (Mr.Switzer) as I always called him sitting with my dad on the dock having a few cool ones. Many great memories. May the memories you have in your heart bring you a sense of relief. Know him and Bruce will always be with you. Take Care Tracy Martineau and family - Posted by: TRACY Martineau () on: Feb 21, 2017
