Obituary of James Sintzel

JAMES RUSSELL NEILSON SINTZEL, Q.C. May 24, 1930 - October 22, 2015 As a lifelong Conservative, the results of October 19 were just too much. Born in North Bay, Ontario, Jim was the pride and joy of Frederick Charles Sintzel and Kathleen Sintzel (nee Crandall). He grew up in Riverdale and was educated at Withrow Avenue School, and Riverdale Collegiate. Jim attended the University of Toronto where he was an enthusiastic basketball player. He graduated from Osgoode Hall law school in 1960 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1975. Jim practiced law in Ontario for his entire career, including as a Crown prosecutor at the Brampton Court House. Jim also served on the Ontario Sensor Board. Jim was always active in politics, and in the Riverdale and East York communities. His involvement began with the George Hees and Bob Macaulay's campaigns. Later, he worked on campaigns for Alderman Tom Clifford and Mayor Alan Redway. He ran in three nominations for the Progressive Conservative Party and was an organizer for Bill Davis' leadership campaign and those of Claude Wagner, Brian Mulroney and Kim Campbell. He was also an active member of the Toronto Press Club. Jim and Bernice enjoyed hosting Bernice's many theatre and music clients, which often saw Jim playing the drums or the ukulele alongside the Ellington orchestra at their home on Waxwing Place in Don Mills. A lover of jazz, Jim was a key organizer of Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert at St. Paul's Cathedral in Toronto. Jim will be remembered as a son, husband, father, lawyer, community volunteer, an entrepreneur, jazz lover, and writer. He will be remembered especially as an eternal optimist who always saw the glass as half full, and who encouraged his children to take on life's challenges with courage and optimism. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Bernice McCarthy-Sintzel and their four children, Meg (Ian Fodie, the trusted "Associate"), Siobhan, Patricia (Darryl Fletcher) and her children Lauren (Marty Peterman) and Benjamin Rayner, and son Joe (Laurie) and their children Cameron and Madeleine. Our deepest gratitude to all the people who cared for "Mr. James" at St. George's and Mt. Sinai Hospital. A celebration of Jim's life will held at THE ALBANY CLUB, 91 King Street East, where Jim had once been a member, on Thursday October 29, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymilesnewbigging.com. Jim - Dad, you are loved, respected and adored, and forever in our hearts.