James Graham MCGUFFIN

McGUFFIN, James Graham 89, of Toronto, Ontario died on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at North York General Hospital. Born January 19, 1924 in Toronto, Jim was the son of the late James McGuffin and the late Letitia (Graham), who immigrated to Canada from Ulster in the early years of the last century. Loving husband of 63 years to Gladys Ross, who predeceased Jim on November 25, 2012 and father to Leslie (Barney Magnusson), Laura (Peter Hill) and Wendy Korhonen. Devoted grandfather to Sarah Korhonen, Holly Magnusson, and Amy Hill. Jim was predeceased by his younger brother William McGuffin, younger sister Norah Hendra and her husband Stanley, and his brother-in-law Allan Lawrence. He is survived by his sister Moira Lawrence, who was by his side at his passing, and his sister-in-law Lynn Mayburry. He is fondly remembered by Gladys's surviving sisters, Hope McPhee and Joyce Diver, brother Carman Ross, and brother-in-law Milt Bishop, and by his many nieces and nephews. Jim grew up in the Broadview-Danforth district of East Toronto. During his high school years, he started work in the mailroom at the Toronto Transit Commission. On January 4, 1942 'on his lunch hour' he 'wandered over to the RCAF recruiting office' to ask about enlistment after his 18th birthday, two weeks away. He was accepted that day for training and subsequently graduated as an Observer in August 1943 at Ancienne Lorette, Quebec City. Next stop was Summerside PEI, then to his longest posting, 4 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadron on the west coast of Vancouver Island, BC. In 1945, while waiting in Moncton NB for posting to the UK, the war ended. In three years, Jim 'grew up in a hurry,' saw Canada and met Canadians from coast to coast. His military service was the formative experience of his life and he honoured it and all who served to the end of his days. He married Gladys on September 17, 1949, started a family and bought the house in which they lived for the next 60 years at 6 Glenborough Park Crescent, Willowdale. He rose through the ranks of the TTC retiring in 1980 as General Secretary at 56 years of age after 40 years of service. Jim contributed to creating the complex and sophisticated rapid transit system now serving the GTA. He often said he couldn't have been luckier to have found such challenging and meaningful employment. In 1982, he was elected to (the then) North York City Council as Councillor for Ward 11. He retired after nine years having served as Deputy to North York's Mayor Mel Lastman, as the representative to Toronto's Metro Council and on numerous boards. Jim was an enthusiastic and tireless representative of his constituents and of his beloved city.
His commitment to the RCAF was life-long. He was a member of the RCAF Association and President of the National Air Crew Association until retiring in 2010.
…And somehow he managed to obtain a business school certificate from the University of Toronto, ski into his 80s - and also be a director of the Toronto Ski Club, and golf, and maintain two gardens - at 6 Glenborough and at his treasured cottage on Georgian Bay at Craigleith. He was the youngest Grand Master of the Ulster Masonic Lodge, and a regular parishioner at St. George's Anglican Church, Willowdale. Amongst many other commitments, he served on the Board of Governors of Seneca College, as director of the United Way Campaign for North York, and as founding director of the (then) North York Performing Arts Centre. He loved reading, attending art galleries, and travelling. He tried his hand at stained glass. His letters and speeches are keepsakes. He loved singing and marching bands, bluegrass and ragtime. He loved the outdoors in all seasons. His back yard skating rink was flawless; his summertime lawn immaculate. He encouraged his daughters to go and see Canada and they did, Leslie and Laura settling in BC where he and Gladys visited often.
The funeral service will be at St. George's Church, 5350 Yonge Street on Thursday, June 27 at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Road, North York.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to North York General Foundation by secure donation online, by mail to 4001 Leslie Street, Toronto, ON, M2K 1E 1 or by phone 416-756-6944.
R.S. Kane 416-221-1159