James Kilner Struthers

April 3, 1931–February 13, 2020

“Where Jim is, the energy level will be a little higher. People will tend to gather, excellent stories will be told, big egos will be deflated, phonies will be outed, Scotch whisky will vanish. Stay alert because the next zinger could be aimed at you.” –Scott Struthers

Jim was born at Bowsman, Manitoba, to Gordon, a struggling farmer, and Helen (nee Wilson), a country school teacher. For Jim, the fourth of 12 children, life on the dusty little homestead was tough, but despite endless chores and a turnip-heavy Depression diet, the Struthers household teemed with optimism and raw potential. Jim’s best memories sprang from his boyhood exploits in rural Manitoba and it was amid this rough and tumble tangle of sibling love and rivalry that an epic storyteller and mischief maker was born.

At Brandon College, Jim established himself as a gifted writer, prankster, speaker and charismatic leader, reaching the zenith of campus life as Senior Stick in his graduating year. After graduation, he landed a job as night wire editor at the Brandon Sun, launching a long and successful career in newspapers and broadcasting.

Jim’s excellent work in print and broadcasting at Brandon caught the eye of Michael C. Sifton, president of Armadale Company Ltd., a family-owned business empire that included newspapers and broadcast outlets in three Prairie provinces. Sifton lured Jim to Saskatchewan with an opportunity at CKCK radio and television in Regina. Throughout the 1960s, Jim’s talent as a journalist and manager was rewarded as he advanced up the ranks to become GM of CKCK Television. In 1972 he moved his wife Shirley and four children to Saskatoon to become publisher of The StarPhoenix, also owned by the Siftons at the time.

In Saskatoon, Jim hit his stride as a newsman, executive and community member. Under his leadership, the paper and its circulation flourished. Jim was known at The StarPhoenix for taking a genuine interest in each and every member of his staff from the press room to the executive offices. People were often amazed to see their publisher at the office on Christmas Day to deliver seasons greetings and a tin of Shirley’s excellent holiday baking to those holding the fort.

As a husband and father, Jim infused his home with the same positive energy that fueled his professional life. With patience and sound advice, he encouraged his offspring in all their pursuits, ceding his driveway to scrambled Willys jeeps and his basement and eardrums to fledgling rock bands.

Jim was a driving force in his community. His reputation as a funny man made him a hot ticket at charity dinners and celebrity roasts. He was proud of his role as a founder of ParticipAction during the early 1970s, and for introducing Junior Achievement to Saskatoon.

He served as vice-president of the 1979 Western Canada Summer Games, president of the Saskatoon Club and the Riverside Golf and Country Club, and as director of The Nature Conservancy of Canada. Throughout his career, he also took time to serve on several media organizations including terms as chair of the National Newspaper Marketing Bureau, director and executive member of the Canadian Press, director of the Canadian Daily Newspaper Association, Canadian Association of Broadcasters and Western Association of Broadcasters.

In retirement Jim shifted his focus. He met Boots, whose creativity and unbridled energy matched his own. They married in 1994 and enjoyed many wonderful years together, travelling, visiting and hosting family and friends, and enjoying long, hot summers at Wakaw Lake. Inspired by Boots’ zeal for the NYTimes Crossword, the couple authored Canadiana Crosswords, which, upon syndication, appeared in more than 100 newspapers in nine provinces.

During his final years Jim suffered from dementia and moved to Samaritan Place, where he danced his way into the hearts of all. We are profoundly grateful to the care team at Samaritan, who loved Jim as family and guided him through his last days with laughter and great tenderness.

Jim’s mighty presence will be forever missed by his wife, Boots, his children, Michael (Grace), Robert (Noreen), Gordon (Helge) and Kathryn (Bruce); Boots’ children James (Karen), Jeff (Theresa), Jack (Abby) and Jill; his grandchildren Severn, Lauren, Natalie, Walker, Max, Dustin, Brittany, Alex, Rebecca, Joel and Aaron; and great grandchildren Nathan and Theo.

Jim is predeceased by his parents, Gordon and Helen, five siblings, Margaret, Bill, Robert, John and Gwen, and his former wife, Shirley.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Belmont, Manitoba, later this summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan Place, 375 Cornish Road

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7T 0P3

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