“Jim, Sonny” Ezra Stebbins

Royal Canadian Navy WWII Veteran

Peacefully on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, Jim passed away at the age of 98. A proud father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great grandfather, veteran of WWII and long-time owner/operator of Stebbins Paving and Construction, Inc. Throughout his 98 years, he loved his life, his family and his friends.

Jim was born November 14, 1925 in The Klondyke near Grand Bend, the middle child of Lawrence and Reta (née Martelle). He is survived by his sister Donius Glover (née Stebbins). He was predeceased by his parents, first wife Audrey, daughter Denise, siblings Dorothy and Harold and his third wife Patricia. His spirit will live forever in the hearts of his children and their spouses Linda (Glenn) and Jim (Cathy), and his step-children June (David), Cathy (Jeff) and Alan (Lorie). He will always be an inspiration to his 13 grandchildren: Tina, Holly, Jamie, Rebecca, Shannon, Brett, Audrey, Kyle, Daryn, Shayne, Aidan, Katerina and Paige; as well as his 14 great-grandchildren: Joey, Geoff, Jaden, Kaitlyn, Alexander, Michaela, Haylee-Kate, Jacob, Jackson, Jaymie, Hayden, Colin, Carter and Elodie Mae; and his three great-great-grandchildren: Logan, Poppy and Robin.

Jim grew up during the Great Depression. His younger years had a profound effect on Jim’s values, how he lived his life and fueled his drive to succeed to make a better life for himself and his family. He was a true outdoorsman, learning at a very early age to fish, hunt, trap and forage for morels, mushrooms and roadside asparagus. He always had a large garden at home or at the Stebbins Paving office where he grew produce for his family and gave it away to friends, staff and Mission Services. He vowed never to be as hungry again as he was growing up.

In 1942, at the age of 17 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and served as a signalman on the bridge of five different ships – three ML 109s (fast moving motor launches), the HMCS Lachine (a minesweeper) and the HMCS Sherbrooke (a corvette) during the Battle of the North Atlantic. Their role was to escort massive convoys of supply ships to Great Britain and protect them from the German U-Boat offensive. While serving in the Navy at such a tender age was very challenging, it also changed Jim’s life in many positive ways; he went places and saw things he could only dream of as a young man from rural Ontario.

After the war was over, Jim returned to London. Starting in 1946 and in every successive year thereafter, Jim participated in Remembrance Day Ceremonies all across Ontario with his war-time buddies. He was proud to attend the Remembrance Day Ceremonies at The National War Memorial in Ottawa in 2013 with his son and daughter.

Jim was always a hard worker. With his easy smile and caring manner, as well as his drive to succeed, he attracted a very loyal and devoted workforce as well as developing many successful business relationships affiliated with his paving businesses.

He was an ardent Blue Jays baseball fan and every day he proudly sported one of his many favourite baseball caps. He didn’t feel fully dressed without his hat!

He was adored and admired by his large family and many, many good friends.  He inspired his children through his hard work and generosity. He will be dearly missed.

Jim spent his last years at Highview Residences of London. The wonderful and expert staff there provided exceptional care and compassion to him for which to his family is very grateful. Thank you – You are simply “The Best”!

Visitation will take place on Sunday, December 17, 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where a funeral service will be conducted on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. A livestream of the service will be available for those unable to attend in person.

To register for the livestream, please click here:

Remembering Jim

Interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Jim are asked to consider the Aging Brain and Memory Clinic, St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, London, or a charity of your choice.