JIM WEISS
1938 - 2019
Peacefully, with his family by his side, Jim, aged 81 years, passed away on July 27, 2019.
Jim leaves to mourn his loving wife of 59 years, Diane; son Robert (Stacey) and daughter Lisa (Neil Anderson); sister Rose Manning; brother Fred; and his 12 beautiful grandchildren, Will (Morgan), Theodore (Cree), Stephanie, Joseph, Michael, David, Peter, Sonya, Genevieve, Josh (Emily), Lindsay and Julia; his three great-grandchildren, TJ, Mariah and Estella as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Jim was predeceased by his son Timothy James; his parents, Gustav and Edith Weiss; brother Wilfred and sister-in-law Edith; sister Ruth and brother-in-law Marcel Brais; sister Irene and brother-in-law Gerry Sexton.
After living in Dominion City until 1944, his family moved to Winnipeg, where Jim received his formal education. In 1956, he began working for General Electric Canada, in the St. James Street warehouse, and adopted the nickname "GE Jim". On August 22, 1959, Jim married Diane Schick and Winnipeg was their home until Jim was transferred to Saskatoon as a sales rep with General Electric (Lamp Division) from 1964 to 1967 at which time he took a transfer back to Winnipeg.
On December 31, 1969, Jim made the decision to leave G.E. in search of further career opportunities. In April, 1970, he began with The Great-West Life Assurance Company as an insurance sales agent. In 1978, he was appointed Manager of the Okanagan Branch in Kelowna, BC. In 1982, Jim and his family returned to Winnipeg with GWL where he was appointed the Regional Sales Agency Director, where he remained until his retirement on January 1, 2001.
Jim was born with a deck of cards in his hands. He loved playing poker, hearts, but especially duplicate bridge once he retired. He loved the competitiveness of bridge and was determined to earn his Life Master Certificate. Many times he came close to earning the recognition, but was side lined with health challenges. He persevered and in 2016 Jim did earn The American Contract Bridge League Life Master Certificate. Jim often said, "I would rather be a participator than a spectator." He was a member of the Manitoba Club, Winnipeg Winter Club, and an avid golfer and member of the St. Charles Golf and Country Club for 37 years.
Jim was a strong believer in self-education and attended many night classes in Saskatoon and Winnipeg. He was a past Board member of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Children's Homes of Winnipeg (New Directions), Rotary Club, and served as a Junior Achievement counsellor. He was passionate about Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg and felt it was important to give something back to society.
When his children were young, Jim coached baseball and was a Cub leader. Jim's family was always very important to him. Jim, Jimmy, Dad, Poppa was our true hero, leader and mentor. Diane never wavered in her love for him and was a great advocate in navigating the health care system when his health became a challenge. Jim's message to his family and friends is to "remember him on occasion, perhaps pine for a short while, but remember life is for the living and now he is in a better place."
There have been many wonderful and compassionate doctors, nurses and health care aides Jim has had over the years but a special thank you to Dr. John Rabson, Dr. Michael Moon, Dr. Fred Aoki and Dr. Therese Racette.
If you so desire, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim's memory to St. Boniface Hospital Research or The Asper Clinical Research Institute.
A celebration of Jim's life will take place at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB.
For those who wish to sign the online
Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca
Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715
As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 10, 2019