James IVERSEN

JAMES ERIC IVERSEN (Jim) Peacefully on Friday, November 2, 2018 in his ninety-ninth year, after a brief stay in hospital. Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary (Molson). He is survived by his dear sister, Marie (Ken); and his children, Christine, Erik (Gillian), DeeDee (Paul), Stuart (Anouk), and Jay; his grandchildren, Sarah, Rachel, Nicholas, Emma Lee, Leif, Patrick, Zoe, Jonathan, Amy, Adam and Alexis; great-grandchildren, Hazel, Isaac, Willa, Asher, Noah, Alexandra, Wyatt and Alice. Jim was born on July 23, 1920 in Winnipeg to Knud Iversen and Emma Gillies. He lived with his family in New York and Montreal, graduating from Westhill High School before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force. He served as a radar technician with bomber squadrons in the north of England. After the war he graduated from McGill with an MA in English. On September 24, 1947, Jim and Mary married and they had five children. An intrepid and graceful skier, Jim enjoyed many wonderful winters at the Redbirds Ski Club, and with friends and family on the slopes of Hill 70 and elsewhere in the St. Sauveur valley. Jim was also an enthusiastic golfer, skeet shooter ('100 Straight Club'), fisherman, and lover of sports, especially hockey and the Montreal Canadiens. Jim's entire professional career was at Selwyn House School where he taught English, French and Math, and coached the ski team. He also served as Assistant Headmaster and University guidance counsellor. Former students remember him for his humour, eloquent instruction and sense of justice championing the underdog. The family wishes to thank the team of health care professionals who looked after Jim in the Orthopedic Trauma Unit (12th Floor East) of the Montreal General Hospital. The family also thanks Jim's devoted caregivers Lesley, Shanthi, Maureen, Grace, Carol, Dorothy and Rosa. A private family funeral was held on November 7 in Montreal.