JAMES THOMSON

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JAMES THOMSON June 13, 1920 - September 19, 2001 After a long battle with cancer and cardiac disease, James Thomson passed away peacefully in his home on September 19, 2001. He was predeceased by his wife Pauline in 1976. His two sons, Glen and Brent and their families, (Janine, Shanleigh, Ian and Karen, Amanda, Jeffrey) mourn his passing. James frequently remembered his brother Thomas Davidson Thomson who lost his life in the Atlantic in the Second World War. He will join Thomas in Paradise with his siblings, William, Hugh, Ruth, and Margaret. He is survived by his sister Ethel of Salt Lake City. James Thomson grew up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and had a keen interest in music from his early years. He joined the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery in January, 1939 and was posted to Britain in September, 1939 with the 77th Battery. He joined the RCHA Concert Party and forged lifelong friendships with his comrades at arms. He remained overseas at the end of hostilities to study clarinet in London. He later studied with the great Chicago clarinetist, Oliver Thomas. Jimmy, as he was known, was one of the founding members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in 1947. He joined the Winnipeg Musicians Association on February 13, 1947 and served as President, Vice-president and Executive Board Member. Through the 50s and 60s he worked extensively in radio and television with the CBC, and with friend and fishing companion Bob McMullin. He rejoined the WSO in 1968. After retirement at 65 he remained musically active and always enjoyed the camaraderie of his many friends at the Belgian Club Band. He taught music to several generations of young musicians. To all who knew him, James Thomson was known as a man with good humour, a quick wit, a love of people, and faith built on the rock. He will be missed. The family would like to express their everlasting gratitude to all those home care workers, physicians and nurses who treated him with dignity and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim Thomsons memory can be sent to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Endowment Fund c/o The Winnipeg Foundation. The funds will be used to endow a permanent chair in the clarinet section of the orchestra and to provide a scholarship in his name for young people learning the clarinet. A service of remembrance will be held at Knox United Church , 400 Edmonton St., at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 22. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 21, 2001