James Kilgour
January 15, 2019
Jim was the son of the late Francis and Ialene Kilgour and a loving husband for 50 years of the late Rose Marie Kilgour (Anderson). He is survived by his recent partner and loving friend, Anne Perron of Ilderton. He was a devoted and loved father for Jim Jr. (Cecilia) of Kitchener and David (Anne) of Sudbury. Loved and admired by his sister Barbara Johnson (Ron) of London and his brother Gary Marshall (Josephine) of Calgary. Jim was a close brother-in-law to John Anderson and the late Joyce and Bill Currie. He will be dearly missed as the best Gramps ever by his grandchildren, Kaitlyn and David as well as his step-grandchildren Stacey (Jeremy), Adam and Ryan and Big Gramps to his great-grandchildren Cillian, Gavriel and Xavier. Special thanks go to Anne’s son, Marshall and his wife Kristine and girls who adopted Jim into their family with open arms. His place in the lives of so many people he touched was obvious in Facebook posts following his sudden death. Admirers say he was “an inspiration to us all,” a “great neighbour and friend,” a “fine gentleman” and “best boss ever.” Jim had friends and fans everywhere he went. He had an active sense of humour, which is very important because he was a clown. “Wings” was his clown name (based on his career in aviation). Wings proudly walked countless parades in his size-23 shoes and attended events in support of Shriners Hospitals for Children, a cause he devoted much of his life to. Jim was a respected past Master of two Masonic lodges and an active and popular member of the 183 Club in North Bay, where he enjoyed the company of many friends. He was also a life member of the Kinsmen Club of North Bay, raising funds and goodwill for his community and far beyond. He was a director with the local VON and took an active role in the Clown Alley of London. Jim and Rose Marie were rich with friends in both London and North Bay, where they spent most of their years together raising a family. Jim graduated from the Radio College of Canada and immediately went to work for Trans-Canada Airlines and later, Air Canada for more than 20 years. When an opportunity arose to develop a small airline in northern Ontario, he jumped at the chance to play an integral role in the growth of norOntair, eventually becoming the Director of Air Services for Ontario Northland, and finally Director of Passenger Services for bus and rail before his retirement. A vistation will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2019 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m, with a masonic service under the auspices of Daylight Lodge # 735 at 6:30 p.m. at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where the memorial service will be conducted on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. A celebration of Jim’s life will also be held in North Bay at a later date. Donations to Shriners Hospitals for Children, The Kidney Foundation of Canada or a charity of your choice will be gratefully accepted.
Leave a tribute for James Kilgour
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(Donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children)
(Donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children)
(Donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children)
(Donated to Kidney Foundation of Canada)
(Donated to Kidney Foundation of Canada)
(Donated to Kidney Foundation of Canada)
(Donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children)
(Donated to Kidney Foundation of Canada)
(Donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children)
....For many years Sudbury and North Bay businessmen met once a month thru the hospitality Club called 'SKAL'. I always looked forward to seeing Jim at these meetings. His humour and his stifled giggle was a treat to experience. He often challenged the members with his intellect and directed the path we should take...the path was never to be a serious one and that was the essence of the Club. We met to enjoy each others company and partake of good food and drink like any ancient Symposium. I'm sorry for his passing and regret learning of it only today...almost a year later.
It is with sadness that I heard of Jim's passing through a mutual friend. Jim was a respected colleague with whom I worked for many years in the Marketing Association of the Air Transport Association of Canada. He was an intelligent, experienced and supportive colleague who always brought humour and common sense into the discussion. My deepest condolences to his extended family for their loss. He had much to give.
My sincere condolences to Jim's family and friends. I worked with Jim at Air Ontario in the late 1980's and will always remember him as a gentleman and a great colleague. I'm so sorry to hear about his passing.
Our deepest condolences to Jim's family and especially Anne who brought Jim into our family. We knew Jim as a gentle and giving man. He helped Debbie's father better understand the process of dialysis which he may have had to do. Jim also allowed me to take pictures during one of his transformations from Jim to Wings and then I saw him with children and experienced the joy he brought with him. He gave much goodness to the world and made it a nicer place to be. We feel blessed to have know him.
Jim,Cil, Kaitlyn and David We are sharing in your sadness and sending healing prayers and big hugs. May you Rest in Paradise Mr. Kilgour. Our deepest sympathies.
My sincere condolences to Jim's family on thelr loss. Jim was a hardworking honest man, a loyal Mason and Shriner, a wonderful dedicated Shrine Klown and a true and loyal friend. Wings will truly be missed. Bubba
I am so sorry to hear of Jim's passing - he was a real gentleman, and I am glad that I had the opportunity to know him. May happy memories and the love of family and friends help sustain you during this difficult time.
My sincere condolences on your loss. I worked for/with Jim in the early seventies at the ONTC office in North Bay in the early days of norOntair. I have many happy memories of Jim and the fun we had as a department due, in a large part, to his great sense of humour.
We are very sorry to hear of Jim Seniors passing. Although we've not met in person, I have had the immense pleasure of working with his Son Jim Jr. Judging by the memories shared in these posts, it sounds as though Jim Sr., did an excellent job of raising his Family and was an excellent mentor, Father and Grandfather. Jim Jr., possesses these same amazing traits. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family. Warmest Regards, The Andrews Family.
In 1979 Mr Kilgour hired me for a position at norOnrair. He was such a kind man. I was sad to hear of his passing. RIP Mr Kilgour.
I met Mr Kilgour Many years back selling him his vehicles before he left North Bay.I have such great respect for him and I'am sorry to hear has passed.I'am sorry for your loss he was a great guy in my life
To Ann and Jim's family. Please accept our deepest condolences. Jim was a great guy and we always had a laugh of two with him. He will be sadly missed.
Dear Anne and family...we send our condolences to you...you were terrific to us when we moved to Ilderton and also had the pleasure of seeing Jim in action at our grandson's birthday party....know that you are in our thoughts during this difficult time....Jette and Ray
I have known Jim for over a decade as his dentist. His distinctive voice and laugh immediately alerted me of his presence in the office. A classy gentleman that never failed to put a smile on my face and brighten my day. I was blessed to have know him. RIP my friend, you will be missed. My deepest condolences to all of Jim's family.
We were so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Although we have only met Jim and Ann since we moved back to Ilderton, we were blessed to get to know them. Sending our thoughts and prayers from Calgary to you, Ann, as well as the rest of Jim's family. Our deepest sympathy to you all.
I met Jim through my involvement with Clown Alley and am very grateful that our paths crossed. Jim is one of those people that I will never forget. He was so upbeat, kind and willing to share his secrets of pocket magic, balloon twisting and how to apply clown make-up. When I think of Jim I remember his big smile and generous spirit. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Jim was an immense pleasure of a man...a gift in every sense of the word. A smile that never quit, a laugh that reflected the joy in his heart and a stoicism that is the measure of the mettle of a person who never lost sight of the opportunity to enjoy and relish in the love of those who surrounded him despite the challenges he faced with his health. He gave all of it back and more with his presence, his smile and his warm loving touch. We, in our family, were so blessed to know Jim, to experience him in the fullness of the man himself. My heart goes out to Jim's family....hopefully you will take comfort in the knowing that he was a true reflection of you and you of him. That must be worth more than its weight and defines the ceremony of what fine people you all are. And to Anne who championed him, played with him, and loved him every second that you both entered each other's heart. And to Marshall, Kristine, Mackenzie, Julia and Jacklyn....and Callie....who adopted Jim so fully into your, and our family. My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to you all during this impossible time. God bless Jim.
We are so very sorry to hear that Jim has passed. We were so lucky to be able to celebrate holidays and big life events with Jim. Always, Jim would be so willing to join in and always had a smile and a joke. He was a very special man and we feel blessed that he was in our lives. He will be missed. Our deepest condolences.
My condolences to the family on the loss of this incredible man. I work with his grandson David and love to hear the stories of his grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
A very sad time. We were fortunate to know JIm through Anne --Marshall's Mom. We had frequent celebrations together- Birthdays, Christmas and many other occasions. He was an amazing man. Always had that easy smile and very funny. He enjoyed a good time. The most impressive characteristic was no matter how bad he might have felt these last few years and what he went through -- there was never one complaint. If you brought it up he would say" I feel fine". Dianne and I will really miss him.
I have know Jim only a short time but found he was a gentleman with a big heart and great sense of humour. He and Anne were such a great support to my mom Doris over the years. Jim will be greatly missed by all of us. Our sincere sympathy to Anne and all the family.
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Ann So sorry we can't be with you st this time of great sorrow. What a wonderful caregiver you were to Jim always so positive about his situation? He gave so much of his time trying to help others and making everyone smile when they saw "Wings the Clown". Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers from afar. Barry & Doreen
~ Barry and Doreen Heaman