James TOMPKINS Obituary
– Died peacefully with his family by his side on Thursday, May 2, 2013, at St. Joseph's at Fleming. Jim was born in Tompkins, Newfoundland on April 9, 1926, the son of James and Ursla Tompkins. He attended St. Francis Xavier University, however accepted a role as an economist with Imperial Life in Toronto before finishing school. He returned to complete his BA in 1950, and then took a brief job writing for a paper in Alberta. Jim spent three years at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto before making the tough decision not to pursue the priesthood. In 1965 Jim narrowly missed joining the Diefenbaker government as the MP for Humber-St. George's riding. His career would take him to Brockville, Manotick (where he rented from A.Y. Jackson), and Ottawa where he got to travel the world on trade missions working for the federal government. He enjoyed a thirty- five year career before retiring as an economist with External Affairs Canada. He found the love of his life and married Anne Powers in 1972, who predeceased him in 2008, and had a son, James Richard Tompkins. Jim was happiest when surrounded by family and friends where he would share his gift of humour and love of politics. He loved the outdoors and spent most of his free time gardening or in the woods, where he always managed to find a rabbit or a Christmas tree. Jim was the beloved father of James Richard Tompkins (Stephanie), and grandfather of Patrick and Taylor Tompkins. Jim is survived by his brothers John Tompkins and Stanislaus (Theresa) Tompkins, and predeceased by Mary (John) McCormick, Father Richard Tompkins, Margaret (Fred) Thompson, Patricia (Robert) Page, and Frank (Bride) Tompkins. Jim is survived by his sisters-in- law Margaret Kinslow, Joan Foell and Joan Powers, and predeceased by his brothers-in- law William Kinslow, Woodrow Foell, Edward Powers, Daniel (Joann) Powers. He will be missed by his many nieces and nephews, family, friends, and scallywags. Thank you to the caring and compassionate staff at St. Joseph's at Fleming who supported Jim over the last five years, and truly made him feel at home.
A Memorial Mass will take place on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. Interment at Mount Hope Cemetery, Waterloo, ON. Arrangements entrusted to Comstock Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 356 Rubidge St, Peterborough, ON, K9H 4C7. Donations to St. Joseph's at Fleming Foundation would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be made at www.comstockfuneralhome.com.
Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning. Winston Churchill
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15 Entries
Nix Wadden
May 15, 2013
Condolences to the Tomkins family. Jim was a fellow student and fellow Newfoundlander at St. F X University in the early 1950s. He was well known and well liked for his great sense of humour and speaking ability. His Winston Churchill impersonation was famous!
We met a few times when we were both working in government in Ottawa.
Rick Page
May 9, 2013
Jamie, Stephanie and family,
I am saddended to hear of Uncle Jimmy's passing. I have so many great memories of all the time he spent with us in New Hampshire: threatening to return purchases to the local shops while getting a parking ticket, trying to talk his way out of a fender bender when the tire tracks in the snow went from our driveway to the neighbor's car parked across the street, falling out of the back of the row boat while I pulled the bow up on the shore, and trying to get a lobster cooked at the hotel we were staying at the morning of our wedding. It was never boring when he was around.
Its been years since I last saw him but he's been in my thoughts and prayers during the time he wasn't well.
He was a very interesting character and I was so lucky to be his nephew.
Bill Kinslow & Family
May 9, 2013
Jamie, Stephanie and family, God bless you and help you through this difficult time. We celebrate the life of Uncle Jim with our memories of him.
Tom Kinslow & family
May 9, 2013
Jamie, Stephanie and family, we will always remember fondly the broad smile and welcome handshake from Uncle Jim upon arrivng in Ottawa. His stories and humor were a treat. Just a wonderful man that will be missed. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
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Mel MacMurray
May 8, 2013
Tompkins family,
I am one of the PSWs at St.Joe's at Fleming. I worked frequently on the unit with Jim. Very quickly he became my favorite resident. When I worked midnights Jim would walk around with me and tell me about how we were going to fix the tractors. When I worked days he would help me with my afternoon tea cart. He was such a kind, sweet and funny man. I will miss Jim very much. I am so sorry for your loss.
John McCormick
May 6, 2013
Jamie & family. Loretta, our sons & wives & I send our condolences on the passing of your Dad Jim, a fine & learned man of whom I was proud to call uncle. God bless him.
May 6, 2013
Jamie and family. our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Tried to send email message before, but it did not materialiaze. Anyway, I corresponded with your dad for af few years after our mid 90s trip to Ontario, when your patents lived in Nepean area. I did viist them there.
Your dad, I am told, did a wonderful impersonation of Winston Churchill. My own father, Johnnie, is still very much alive in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
His phone number is 902.863.1197
He is 92 but in good health. Call him.
We are in Athens, OH 740.593.6266 or
[email protected]
Patricia Tompkins-Maudsley
May 6, 2013
Jamie I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have fond memories of your visits to Antigonish and my visits to Napean with you Uncle Johnnie and Aunt Kay. Dad let us all know he had passed and I have sent the obituary to my siblings.
God Bless,
Patricia (Tompkins) Maudsley
May 6, 2013
We send our deepest sympathies to Jamie and family. My brother, sister and I have many fond memories of spending time with Jim and Anne at their lovely home in Ottawa when we were children. Jim was so much fun and he always had interesting stories to tell. He and Anne were also incredibly generous and warm hosts. Their home was a magical place for a child at Christmas. Jim was also a very close and supportive friend to my father for many years. We are so very sorry for your loss.
Sheilagh O'Connell, on behalf of the O'Connell family (Ottawa and Toronto)
May 6, 2013
Jamie and Family. I am sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Hopefully, fond memories will help you through this difficult period.
Karl Moher
May 5, 2013
Dear Jamie,
We have many fond memories of Jim and Anne in Ottawa. Always remember Jim telling a funny story and using the term Scallywags! Always thought your family had the nicest Christmas trees-. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. John MacDonald , Elizabeth and Katherine
May 5, 2013
We have many fond memories of Jim and Anne when we grew up in Ottawa. Jim was always telling a funny story - and would often say " Scallywags". Always thought you had the best Christmas trees on the block! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
John MacDonald, Elizabeth and Katherine
May 5, 2013
A fine and dignified man. It was a pleasure to get to know Jim at St. Joe's.
Anna R.
Gerard Geoffroi
May 4, 2013
Jim was a treasured friend. Sincere sympathy from Gerard and Colleen Geoffroi
lynn kroetsch
May 4, 2013
My deepest prayers and sympathies to Anne and Jamie. I can remember a family trip to Ottawa with my parents, brother and sister. We called Anne and Jim to tell them we were there and next thing Jim is at our hotel door saying come over come over to our house for visit. I remember that visit well and the warm welcome we received from Anne and Jim.
Lynn Kroetsch, neighbor from Allen Street in Waterloo, ON
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