Obituary of James "Jim" Gordon Spence

JAMES GORDON SPENCE

With sadness Jim’s family announces his passing on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. Born in Ottawa in 1930 to Howard Nathanial and Sidney Gordon, Jim is survived by his wife Wilma; his brother David; son Robert (Gaye Spence), daughters Lori (Ken Shaw) and Joanne (Rick Arseneau); and his grandchildren Toby, Tim, Claire, Zoe, Gillian and Michael. Jim grew up in Ottawa South and attended Glebe Collegiate, Carleton and Queen’s Universities, where he earned an engineering degree and met the love of his life, Wilma White. Jim spent his career with CIL, working at several locations in Ontario and Quebec as well as Liberia in West Africa. Upon his retirement in 1991, Jim pursued several pastimes and involved himself in community organizations, but the primary focus of his attention was his family. There were regular gatherings of the family at the cottage at Lake of Bays, the condo in Long Boat Key and several trips to exotic locations. Friends, too, were always an important part of Jim’s life; the steady stream of visitors that came through Jim’s hospital room in Runnymede Healthcare Centre after his stroke in 2011 is a testament to how beloved he was. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Tuesday, February 20^th at 1:00 p.m. in Rosedale United Church, 159 Roxborough Drive. The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19^th.   If desired, a donation to Runnymede Healthcare Centre’s Nursing and Staff Education Fund or the Massey Centre’s Maternal Infant Mental Health program would be appreciated.  Condolences, photographs and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com.