James Alexander WICKWIRE

1930 - 2023

JAMES ALEXANDER WICKWIRE Jim Wickwire passed away peacefully after a brief illness at the Toronto General Hospital on October 25, 2023, surrounded by loving family. Jim was born on August 13, 1930, in Liverpool, Nova Scotia to parents John and Dorothy Wickwire. He graduated from Dalhousie's Medical School in 1957, then returned to Liverpool to be with his wife Grace and their three children. Joining his father's medical practice, Jim was affectionately known in the community as 'Doctor Jim', and his father as 'Doctor John'. He spoke proudly of working alongside his father, a strong father-son team. Jim furthered his studies and gained a specialization as a radiologist. He practised radiology for the next fifty years and worked primarily in Newfoundland and then Ontario. His accomplishments included Chief of Radiology at Grace Hospital, Newfoundland, Chief of Radiology and Staff at the Stratford General Hospital and Chief of Radiology at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance. Jim was known as a mentor in the field, and for this he will forever be remembered. He was proud of being a part of the momentum of change in a medical field that was continuously evolving. Forward-looking as he was, Jim loved technology and embraced it throughout his life. Jim absolutely loved all sports and was an accomplished athlete in his own right. Baseball was his first love, and he became a proficient pitcher for the Liverpool Larrupers where he was eventually scouted by the Montreal Royals. Jim took up curling in his late 20s and won the Maritime Junior Curling Bonspiel in 1962. Jim was also an avid sailor, a passion he shared with his first wife Grace, and they enjoyed an adventurous sailing life for twenty years on their boat, It's Magic, both in Georgian Bay and later throughout the Caribbean. To be in Jim's company meant to be exposed to his love of music. Jim, a saxophonist, loved all types of music but especially country music, an interest born in his teen years utilizing his home-made crystal radio that could pick up broadcast signals all the way from the USA and magically deliver up iconic music shows such the Wheeling Jamboree Country Music Show from West Virginia. In 1997, Jim found love again with Shirley Logan. Both widowers, Shirley and Jim bonded over their loss and to their surprise, a magical and unexpected love for each other grew. Married in 2001, surrounded by family and friends, Jim and Shirley had twenty-six wonderful years together between their homes in Toronto and Creemore. A major part of their lives centred around their beloved Mad River Golf Club where they golfed and built many deep friendships. Jim was passionate about the game. In his 88th year he shot an 88. Shooting one's age apparently has currency amongst the Friday Morning Men's Group to which Jim was dedicated and loved. Jim was a gentlemen golfer, always encouraging of others and at the ready to pick up a club inadvertently left behind. When they weren't on the golf course, Shirley and Jim were avid bridge players. Their membership at the B & R was home to a wonderful group of friends. Predeceased by his wife, Grace (in 1996), Jim (or 'Gompie') is survived by his beloved wife Shirley Logan; his loving sister Joan Chandler Parker; daughters, Wendy (Michael), SueAnn (Stephen) and Kimberly (Graham); stepdaughter Janet (Tom), stepson Bruce (Lynne); grandchildren, Leithen (Alice), Patrick (Allison), Jessica (Scott), Jennifer (Aaron), Charlie, Nicholas, Madeleine, Kaleigh, Connor, Cole; and his great granddaughter Dorothea. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the ICU team at the Toronto General Hospital for their exceptional care and compassion. A church funeral will take place on November 9th, at Lawrence Park Community Church, 2180 Bayview Ave, North York. The service will begin at 11 a.m. The service can also be viewed virtually using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84625394269 Please donate to a Charity of Your Choice in lieu of flowers in memory of Jim.