Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1937
DIED
2021
FUNERAL HOME
James THOMPSON Obituary
April 29, 1937 - July 22, 2021
Jim Thompson, well known Byron barber, everyone's favourite "other Dad", and London's answer to Elwy Yost passed away peacefully on July 22nd surrounded by family.
Jim hailed from Peterborough Ontario, the first of four children born to Marie and Joe Thompson. Always proud of his service, Jim left Peterborough in 1958 to join the 4th Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment (4 RCR) in the infantry, where after completing basic training, he was taught bartending and was eventually posted to the Sergeants' Mess (apparently very appropriately named) at London's Wolseley Barracks. It was in London that Jim met a young Beverley Topham, who would go on to become his loving wife of fifty-eight years, predeceasing Jim by only eight weeks. Jim will be forever missed by his children Dave and Ruthann; their spouses, Krista and Dan; and grandchildren, Kennedy (Zachary), Mallory, Ryan, and Adam. Jim is survived by his siblings John (Anne), Pat (Joan), and Marie, as well as many friends, cousins, inlaws, nieces, and nephews.
Jim employed his military learnings post discharge, working as the head bartender at the illustrious London Club and serving everyone from Johnny Cash and Jerry Van Dyke to England's Prince Phillip. With a growing family, Jim decided to train for and earn his barber's license and will be best remembered as half of the team of "Ron and Jim", owners of Paul's Barber Shop, a longtime landmark of the Byron Village downtown. Even though the shop closed in 2004, Jim continued to cut hair out of his house well into his seventies, never one to miss out on an opportunity to discuss current events and make a buck. In 2018, Jim and Bev moved to Cambridge in order to be closer to their children, and to her final days, Jim was superheroic in his efforts to keep Bev safe and happy, singing to her through zoom calls when COVID protocols forced them apart at the end.
Jim loved the movies, collecting thousands of videos (Betamax to Blu-rays), and could remember the smallest details of every film he ever saw. He loved to travel and explore, hauling his family and a tent-trailer from Canada's Atlantic to Pacific coasts and all over the United States (and again, could remember the dates and details of every place he ever visited). Jim had an especially memorable trip to Hollywood, flew in a helicopter over the North Dakota badlands, rode shotgun on a Nascar racetrack, and made many trips to Florida with Bev in their retirement. Jim was proud of his Italian heritage (even if his language lessons were dubious) and was happiest making pasta and sauce, singing opera (poorly but proudly), and preparing zeppoles at Christmas. Jim loved gardening, canning his famous relish, bowling, playing cards, telling jokes and stories, and sipping a fine whiskey; he was the life of every party, even if he grumbled and fretted right up until the first guest arrived. Jim worked hard all of his life, held his family close with love and pride, only barely resented his grandkids taking the last slice of watermelon (getting his revenge by giving his granddaughters little boy haircuts until they started school), and has earned his rest.
He's gone on to a better land, where everything is bright
Where dollars grow on bushes and you sleep out every night
He'll never need to work at all or even change his socks
And little streams of whiskey will come a-tricklin' through the rocks
Jim's family would like to thank Dr. Holling and her palliative team at ParaMed for the excellent care and support that they provided for him and the family in his last weeks at home. Jim spent his last two days in hospice at Lisaard House and his family can't thank the staff there enough for the exceptional and compassionate care that he received. Arrangements will be made for a private internment with a celebration of life to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Lisaard House may be made in the name of James Thompson.
Condolences/donations/directions
www.lounsburyfuneralhome.com
519-658-9366
Jim Thompson, well known Byron barber, everyone's favourite "other Dad", and London's answer to Elwy Yost passed away peacefully on July 22nd surrounded by family.
Jim hailed from Peterborough Ontario, the first of four children born to Marie and Joe Thompson. Always proud of his service, Jim left Peterborough in 1958 to join the 4th Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment (4 RCR) in the infantry, where after completing basic training, he was taught bartending and was eventually posted to the Sergeants' Mess (apparently very appropriately named) at London's Wolseley Barracks. It was in London that Jim met a young Beverley Topham, who would go on to become his loving wife of fifty-eight years, predeceasing Jim by only eight weeks. Jim will be forever missed by his children Dave and Ruthann; their spouses, Krista and Dan; and grandchildren, Kennedy (Zachary), Mallory, Ryan, and Adam. Jim is survived by his siblings John (Anne), Pat (Joan), and Marie, as well as many friends, cousins, inlaws, nieces, and nephews.
Jim employed his military learnings post discharge, working as the head bartender at the illustrious London Club and serving everyone from Johnny Cash and Jerry Van Dyke to England's Prince Phillip. With a growing family, Jim decided to train for and earn his barber's license and will be best remembered as half of the team of "Ron and Jim", owners of Paul's Barber Shop, a longtime landmark of the Byron Village downtown. Even though the shop closed in 2004, Jim continued to cut hair out of his house well into his seventies, never one to miss out on an opportunity to discuss current events and make a buck. In 2018, Jim and Bev moved to Cambridge in order to be closer to their children, and to her final days, Jim was superheroic in his efforts to keep Bev safe and happy, singing to her through zoom calls when COVID protocols forced them apart at the end.
Jim loved the movies, collecting thousands of videos (Betamax to Blu-rays), and could remember the smallest details of every film he ever saw. He loved to travel and explore, hauling his family and a tent-trailer from Canada's Atlantic to Pacific coasts and all over the United States (and again, could remember the dates and details of every place he ever visited). Jim had an especially memorable trip to Hollywood, flew in a helicopter over the North Dakota badlands, rode shotgun on a Nascar racetrack, and made many trips to Florida with Bev in their retirement. Jim was proud of his Italian heritage (even if his language lessons were dubious) and was happiest making pasta and sauce, singing opera (poorly but proudly), and preparing zeppoles at Christmas. Jim loved gardening, canning his famous relish, bowling, playing cards, telling jokes and stories, and sipping a fine whiskey; he was the life of every party, even if he grumbled and fretted right up until the first guest arrived. Jim worked hard all of his life, held his family close with love and pride, only barely resented his grandkids taking the last slice of watermelon (getting his revenge by giving his granddaughters little boy haircuts until they started school), and has earned his rest.
He's gone on to a better land, where everything is bright
Where dollars grow on bushes and you sleep out every night
He'll never need to work at all or even change his socks
And little streams of whiskey will come a-tricklin' through the rocks
Jim's family would like to thank Dr. Holling and her palliative team at ParaMed for the excellent care and support that they provided for him and the family in his last weeks at home. Jim spent his last two days in hospice at Lisaard House and his family can't thank the staff there enough for the exceptional and compassionate care that he received. Arrangements will be made for a private internment with a celebration of life to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Lisaard House may be made in the name of James Thompson.
Condolences/donations/directions
www.lounsburyfuneralhome.com
519-658-9366
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Cambridge Times on Jul. 24, 2021.
Memories and Condolences
for James THOMPSON
Sponsored by Dale Lounsbury Funeral Home LTD.
2 Entries
Judy in't Veld
July 24, 2021
Ruthann and David, once again our sincerest condolences. We have such fond memories of Jim and your whole family. Sending hugs for all of you. John Cowie and Judy in't Veld.
Jim & Arlene Grant
July 24, 2021
JIM and I both extend our sincere felt condolences to the Thompson family.
To us, Jim will be remembered as a kind and honest gentleman,
also for that smile, sense of humour and
laugh.
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results
Memorial Events
for James THOMPSON
Funeral services provided by:
Dale Lounsbury Funeral Home LTD1766 Franklin Boulevard, Cambridge, ON N3C 1N8