With great sadness we announce the passing of James (Jim), beloved patriarch of the Laurie clan, on September 5, 2021 at the age of 94.
Son of the late Douglas Melrose Laurie and Edna (Cowper) Laurie and treasured brother of Carol Petch, Barbara (Babs) Jaeger and (pre-deceased) Margaret (Peggy) Grant.
He will be dearly missed by his wife of 67 years Carman (Mathews) Laurie and devoted children John (Nancy), Heather (Paul), Jo-Anne (Gerald, recently passed) and David (Louise), grandchildren Morgan, Erin, John, Eric, Juliana Trevor and Sarah as well as great-grandchildren Henry, Arthur, Caffrey, Esme and Jack.
Above all an exceptional gentleman, Jim was much-loved by an amazingly large circle of friends from all walks of life. Known for his unwavering generosity, positive outlook and giant sense of humour, he lived life on his own terms and touched the lives of so many.
A graduate of Quebec High School in 1944 and Mcgill University (Macdonald) in 1948, Jim was an apple grower (Laurie Orchards & Hemmingford Orchards), Teacher (Hemmingford, Huntingdon, Howick & CVR), and Entrepreneur. (Co-founder of Les Celliers St-Bernard, Mckinnon Realties). Along the way he enjoyed the ups and downs of business but it was as a teacher that he made a real difference in the lives of many; his specialty was engaging the “hard cases”, a rebel himself, he was able to connect.
Dad was happiest while working at the family farm in Hemmingford (where he lived his entire life), tinkering in the garage or enjoying the outdoors accompanied by one of many dogs, or when “entertaining” with family and friends and sharing in laughter and good times !
His true calling though was family and as a father and grandfather; he possessed the rare gift of making us strive to do our very best, without ever being overbearing and always with a gentle touch. We are all smiling through our tears in celebrating you and your life. You will be missed.
Special thanks to team J&C for the care at home. As per his wishes, no funeral will be planned. A celebration of life and scattering of ashes in the orchard and burial in Hemmingford Protestant cemetery will be held when all the family can be together, to be announced at a later date
In-lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Barrie Memorial Hospital Foundation or The Hemmingford Protestant Cemetery.
Serre & Finnegan
1-800-263-3074
www.serrefinnegan.com