JAMES BRIAN HANSEN

With great sadness, we advise that Jim passed away, at the age of 85, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Toronto General Hospital. The cause was congestive heart failure with complications caused by Covid. Jim was born in Fort Frances, Ontario, and attended university in Winnipeg. After graduation, he moved to Toronto and joined the civil service with the Ontario government, retiring as an assistant deputy to the Minister of Health. Throughout his career in civil service, he gained many friends with whom he continued to stay in touch throughout his retirement. He and his partner, David Pickard, enjoyed life in their condo, living and thriving in the heart of the vibrant Bloor and Yonge community of Toronto. Together, they travelled and enjoyed life and all of its offerings. Jim was an avid reader and supporter of the local Toronto Public Library and spent many hours enjoying all of the books he read. Jim also enjoyed his circle of friends and remained close with all of us. We had many enjoyable dinners with spirited conversations and wonderful food and wine. Jim was a much respected and valued person. He was kind, definitely opinionated, with a wicked sense of humour. By his own admission, he could often be perverse. But, we all loved him. We thank all in his circle who rallied to support him as his health declined. With heartfelt thanks, we are grateful to caregiver, Emmanuel "Manny" Talosig, who went above and beyond in his compassion and care provided to Jim in his final weeks. We all raise a glass of Sancerre to Jim and know he would approve. Jim did not request a funeral, but a celebration of life will follow at a later date. Friends of Jim Hansen