James Harvie CROCKET

1932 - 2020

CROCKET, James Harvie PhD Professor Emeritus School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University June 27, 1932 - Dec 22, 2020 In the early morning of Tuesday, December 22, 2020, Jim quietly left us after a prolonged illness at home in Ancaster, Ontario. His wife Catherine was by his side. Jim was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, son of the late William Wallace Crocket and Annie Holmes Crocket. He was predeceased by his only sibling, William (2008). He is survived by his loving wife Catherine (Thorne), his son Andrew (Christine), his daughter Jennifer (Paul Rymes) and five grandchildren, Miranda Crocket (Ben McCullough), Alex Crocket (Heather Coburn), Mac, Wil and Johnna Rymes. He was greatly loved by his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered by his extended family of cousins and Thorne in-laws across Canada as a kind and gentle man. Jim graduated in Geology from the University of New Brunswick in 1955. He participated in many extracurricular activities including basketball and tennis. Upon graduation Jim received the 1955 Rhodes Scholarship for the Province of New Brunswick. After two years at the University College Oxford, where he played on the Oxford hockey team, Jim completed a BSc in research. He continued his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received his PhD in Geochemistry in 1961. Jim came to McMaster University in September 1961. He had a passion for research and early on in his career built a mass spectrometer and made use of the McMaster nuclear reactor to aid in his research. Jim enjoyed working with his students both in the lab and the field and believed strongly in the contributions they made together towards the scientific knowledge base of geology. Over the course of his career, Jim worked with graduate students from all over the world to expand the understanding of gold and the platinum group metals. Whether it was gold research in Oxford, growing rubies at Bell Labs, New Jersey, visiting the gold fields of Western Australia or supervising student field trips in Northern Ontario, Jim left his hammer mark on the study of geology. His family treasured his time shared with them on the Saint John River, NB and later at Miller Lake, ON where he and his family built a cottage. Family and friends were always welcomed and the limestone rocks of the Bruce became a playground for outdoor hikes and activities. We will always deeply miss his love and caring way with each of us. Rest in peace Jim for a life well lived. The family wishes to thank the LHIN Program St. Joseph's Home Care Nurses and all of the PSWs who compassionately cared for Jim over the past three years and a special thanks to Glenna, Flora, Vicky and Esther who made it possible for Jim to remain at home. Thank you to all friends for your support and kindness expressed in so many ways. Cremation has taken place. There was a private family graveside service on Wednesday December 30th. Donations, in memory of Jim, can be made to 541 Eatery & Exchange Cafe (Buy Buttons) www.fivefortyone.ca or Cedar Haven Eco-Centre www.arocha.ca Online condolences may be made at www.dbancaster.ca