James Alan Johansen
With his wife Cory at his side as she had been for 41 years Jim passed away on March 22, 2013 at the Lake of the Woods District Hospital, Kenora, ON.
He leaves to mourn his wife Coralee (Cory) , sister Nancy Keverian, Sarasota, FL, sisters-in-law Rena Sinden, Kenora, ON and Peggy Borg (Frank), Georgetown, ON, brothers-in-law Dave Sinden (Harriet), Ottawa, ON and Bill Sinden (Kerry), Acton, ON. “Uncle Jim” loved all of his nieces and nephews and their children dearly and considered all of them “his” children. They were all so good to him and he considered himself blessed.
Jim was born in Chicago, IL in 1940. At the age of 10 he began coming to Sioux Narrows, ON with his parents where they built a cabin on Lake of the Woods. He was smitten with Canada. After completing his education at Illinois Wesleyan and Northern Illinois Universities he immigrated to Sioux Narrows. He was a natural entrepreneur and immediately established Woodland Resort. He and Cory developed the resort to include a dining room where Jim became quite famous for his Wednesday night B.B.Q. ribs. Contrary to public opinion resort owners were not all millionaires so he also took various contracts with Confederation College. In 1972 he and Cory opened the first Blue Heron Gift Shop in Sioux Narrows. Buying and selling was in his blood. In 1977 they opened the Blue Heron-Kenora in the old fish market. Two stores in Minaki and “Johansens” in Kenora followed. His real passion was tourism and he chaired or sat on numerous committees such as the Chambers of Commerce of Sioux Narrows & Kenora, LOWBIC, Tourism Kenora, Kenora Publicity Board and was a past president of the Kenora Rotary Club. His last commitment was heading the committee to organize the opening of “the Northern Ontario Sport Fishing Centre” in Sioux Narrows.
Jim loved people. He was the ultimate event planner and very artistic. He was a motivator and leader and had enough ideas to fill three lifetimes. He always tried to ease the burdens of others. He will be remembered by many as “the greeter” at the Blue Heron. He enjoyed 10 years of retirement and loved Lake of the Woods but never stopped thinking of other things he could or wanted to do in his community.
We will remember Jim every Canada Day as it was he who suggested in 1982 that First Avenue South be closed on July 1 every year so that he could hold a street party. Since then, it has grown into one of Kenora’s popular summer festivals.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at the Lake of the Woods Chapel, Sioux Narrows in June. Time and date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, should you desire, donations may be made to the Sioux Narrows Endowment Fund, Lake of the Woods Community Foundation, Box 441, Kenora, ON P9N 3X4 (online at www.klwcf.ca), the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation,
21 Sylvan St, Kenora, ON P9N 3W7 or Lake of the Woods Chapel, Box 327, Sioux Narrows, ON P0X 1N0.
When we see fireworks in the sky we will remember you
Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomekenora.com
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