I just learned of Jim's passing. Our families had a shared history together, in Zambia at Mindolo Ecumenical Centre and briefly in Toronto upon our return (arrival for the children - all born abroad!) from Zambia.  I recall the Kirkwoods visiting our house in Ndola where Dad was the minister at St. Andrew's United Church (UCZ) on New Year's day around 1970-72.  During that visit, Joy and I had a competition to see who could lean the farthest off the top bunkbed, which Joy won, and as a reward, earned 3 stitches on her forehead.  I don't recall any recriminations about this dumb competition - but it was not repeated. We later lived in adjacent apartments on Humewood Avenue in Toronto in 1972 before our famaily relocated to Arthur.  My father (also named Jim) spoke very highly of Jim and his work in Zambia and I know that my mother (Jessie) considered them good friends. My condolences to Marion, Paul, Joy, Jane and Ken. Jim was a good man and we have lost someone who made the world a better place. 

Let me add a memory for Marion and family.  I only knew Jim the last twenty years of his life . He had retired and was amazingly active. Along with Gary Kenny, Jim McKinnon, Alexis Kontos  and myself, he helped form ZIMREF which gathered 15 NGO's working in and with Zimbabwe CSO's. Jim was both humble & relentless in pointing out our top down views and bringing to the meetings Zimbabweans  who brought southern viewpoints.  He championed the persecuted and helped form a wrap around support group for a HIV positive person accused of a crime being opposed still today in many Canadian courts.  He rode his bike to all meetings and while awaiting a hip replacement used his walker to attend.  I said to myself many times, when I'm in my eighties, I want to be like Jim Kirkwood. Rest in Power James. 

It is with extreme sadness that I am finding out now about the passing of the beloved Rev. Jim Kirkwood. I would like to send my belated condolences to Marion and the family, for your great loss.  

Rev. Kirkwood was the most loving and caring individual that I had a good fortune of meeting in my life. I remember how welcoming he was to me, when I first came to Canada from Tanzania as a student. I am exceedingly grateful to the Kirkwood family and all your close friends who hosted me at that critical time. 

Yet, I am just one of many Africans that are indebted to the Reverend’s generosity and kindness. To us, he will always be remembered as the “Father of Africa”, for all the good works he had done in that continent. He didn’t just preach but lived the faith by helping the needy and the disadvantages in the society. 

We thank God for the Reverend’s life. Now we can just hope that he smiles on us from Heaven, and that he is our cheer leader and ambassador in the courts of Heaven!

May His Soul Rest in Peace. (Kwa Heri Baba)

Judith Lyander


Hi Marion and family,

My apology for being so late in offering my condolences.

Though I don't have any special stories to share,  I can share that Jim used to "pop into" the chapel at TSP to catch part of our (Bathurst United) services, when he knew that we were talking about a cause that interested him. I felt he was honouring us with his presence.

As a memory of Jim, he always made me feel respected and acknowledged for the causes I work for. He was a real "mensch"!

May good memories of Jim be with you always,  Ronny Yaron

Marion and family, I want to send you my sincere sympathy in your loss of Jim although he will always be a part of your life.
I have many memories of him during the ten years we both worked at the Division of World Outreach. Jim had such a wonderful commitment to the people and churches of Africa. One funny memory I have of him is when I accompanied him on a trip to Africa and the car got stuck in the mud. It was decided that Jim and the other man would push and I would drive. In spite of much pushing, the car wouldn't move. I was not popular when it was discovered that I hadn't released the parking brake!
My love and prayers are with you.

Marion and family.
I knew Jim when he was a student minister at Deer Park Church in Toronto.  As a teen I was a member of the Youth Group.  Under Jim"s guidance this group grew to over 30 teens who followed Jim's lead to venture out of the church into social outreach.  Jim was a true leader who was well loved.
He will be missed.
Nancy MacLennan (nee Vokes)

Dear Kenny:

I wish to extend my condolences to you in the passing of your father.  His significant contribution to the life and work of the United Church is much admired by his colleagues. 

Kenny, I would also like to take this opportunity to say that your musical presentations at LPCC are very much missed. 

(Rev.) Eric  

The family of the late Harvey and Marjorie Kirkwood (Harvey was a cousin of Jim's) were very saddened to hear of Jim's passing. Jim was a much respected family member and we anticipated a good visit whenever we saw him and we were never disappointed.  We greatly respected his work in Africa and on social justice issues.  More people like him would make this world a better place.  He was a beloved son of the Ballinafad community and as a guest minister, his visit to the United Church was always a special day.   Condolences to Marion and the rest of his family on your great loss.

Marion, Paul, Jane, Joy, Kenny and the rest of the family,
I am so sorry for your loss.  But I know that Jim's spirit and commitment to making the world a more just, more caring place lives on in so many of us.  I am sure the many car loads of frozen meat and fresh produce Jim and Marion carried back to Toronto from the Slater farm played a role in my decision to spend my life growing food for the local community.   Jim was very much someone who challenged us all to think globally and act locally.  He made the world a better place.


Marian, Bill and I were saddened to hear of this terrible loss to you, your family and your community. We fondly remember Jim as a warm, kind and thoughtful person. In 1994, we asked Jim to officiate at our wedding, which he kindly agreed to do. I remember how skilled Jim was at making my parents and family from Trinidad & Tobago feel comfortable at our somewhat unusual nuptials on the farm. He was so good at that "task", that Jim then went on to officiate the weddings of two other Slater kids (Sarah and Stew), with his same, uncanny ability to connect with people.  We heard similar stories about Jim when we visited Zambia in 2014, and about his commitment to social justice and to community. We hope these memories provide some measure of comfort in celebration of Jim’s life; a life well lived. 

Shehnaz & Bill


Such wonderful memories of visits to the farm by Jim and Marion and various family members and/or visitors from afar. Jim was the kindest, most compassionate person I've known, always interested in what I was up to -- both as a child, and as I grew to adulthood. I recall only once when he appeared to get angry: a day when his father had climbed onto a wagon while we were loading sheaves, and I popped the clutch on the tractor and jerked the wagon. But years later, when I mentioned this day to Jim, he recalled it differently, and insisted that I hadn't done anything wrong. Sending prayers to you all.

To Marion and family,

As a former colleague of Jim's in DWO, I want to offer my sincere condolences to you and your family at this time.  I remember Jim as the excellent caring and committed Area Secretary for Africa, and my responsibility was with our Overseas Personnel.  He made an outstanding contribution in so many ways throughout his life. Thanks be to God for his discipleship and witness!  May the steadfast love of God continue to sustain and uphold you all during this time of grief, as we all celebrate and give thanks for the life of Jim.   George Lavery

I am very sorry to hear that Jim has left us. We have lost a man of God and a great advocate of social justice.  May he Rest In Peace! 
I will always remember his passion for Africa and his continuous desire to keep people in Canada and around the world properly informed about what is happening on the continent and to do something to contribute to change. His life has just been a testimony not only to the Gospel but also universally shared values of solidarity and compassion! May his gentle soul Rest In Peace and his life testimony inspire others!

Dear Marion,

How sorry I am to hear that Jim has died.  What a wonderful life you shared together.  My sincerest condolences.

Mary Janet

On behalf of Shining Water Regional Council of the United Church of Canada, I am so sorry to hear the new of Jim's passing.  I hope that the coming days bring hope and joy as you celebrate Jim's beautiful life.  The peace of Christ  be with you.

Todd McDonald, Pastoral Relations Minister, Shining Water Regional Council

To Marion, and family....so many memories of Jim.  The most outstanding.... he was the only DWO staff who had lunch while he was doing dictation....back in the old days when we typed dictated correspondence. He brought us Omega Bula. The connections he made in so many ways were astounding. From my arrival in DWO he was welcoming and open....through the changes in positions, years, study, ministry. I believe the last time I saw the two of you was at a Covenanting service.  It’s hard to believe such time has flown. Prayers and hugs to you, blessings and peace.

Fran Ota

Jim was such a sweet, gentle man - in the truest sense of the word.  Really good people!  He was one of the first people to welcome me to Bloor Street United Church when I started as Secretary - he was working with AfricaFiles.  If anyone has earned their rest, it's Jim!  

As the Minister at Erin and Ballinafad United Churches, I remember well Jim's friendly and informative visits.  He was always gentle and warm; a much beloved religious leader among everyone in the congregations who knew him.  He will be greatly missed!


Marion and family,
We were so sorry to read of Jim's death in yesterday's Toronto Star.
He was a very special man. His dedication to and leadership in social justice issues made a huge difference during the time he spent serving the United Church. He continued to work  on the many issues about which he was passionate after he retired. 
We always enjoyed engaging with Jim at various events. His gentle but firm commitment to changing the world was an inspiration to both of us.  The UC and the world needs people like Jim. He touched many lives and will missed.
We will make a memorial donation to the United Church of Canada designated for work  with partners in Africa.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all in this time of loss.
Jean and Lloyd Porter

We remember African drums af the Ballinafad United Church.  Jim brought his experiences from his life to us.  We know he was a child of Ballinafad but a person of the whole world.   Sorry for your loss.

We send our condolences to everyone in Jim's family. It was a pleasure and honour to work with him and Chela Maria Chikueka on her book "Torchbearers" some years ago. We will all miss his vision and perseverance: always gentle, always fierce!

Sue Kaiser

Sincerest Sympathy Paul and the Kirkwood family on the loss of your beloved Jim.  He was such a bright spot among us and we at Toronto  East End United were blessed for knowing him, hearing his meaningful additions to our prayers and services so many times.  Warm  thoughts  and prayers that God's blessings and peace of mind go with you.

My love and condolences to all of you. Jim was so special, so humble, so thoughtful. Every conversation with him made me want to be a better person. He will always hold a special place in my world.

Paul and family. Jim was a special man of faith and love.  This was obvious from the first time I met him.  I know you will miss him and feel that sadness.  This is expected when you have lives him so long. 
I remember spending time talking with him at one of our pastoral care events and was very impressed at how he described his views and love.  Keep those memories close in these hard times.  Be gentle with yourselves.  Lori and Jeff Baine.  

I am devastated at the passing of a dear friend, confidante Jim Kirkwood. I first met Jim in 2003 at the Africa Files and he was the most passionate and dedicated human being to matters of social justice. Jim encouraged me to contribute to articles about my home country Zimbabwe and other contemporary African issues  in general. Jim was a genuine decent human being who loved everyone and made a huge contribution to global justice during his time with The United Church of Canada and later. As someone who benefited immensely from Jim’s steady hand I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Farewell Jim and may you rest in eternal peace. We shall miss you but your legacy will leave forever.  
My sincere condolences to Marion and the rest of the family. Your loss is our loss. 

Dear Marion ,
I was heartbroken to hear about Jim's death. I am so sorry for your loss and send my family's  sincere sympathies . Jim and your family were like a family to us when I and my family came to Canada in 1987. Jim took my children ( who were very young at that time) for their first fun snow day.  They remember his kindness to this day. He was incredibly kind, generous and gentle . He never wavered in his commitment to Africa and his support to the African refugees and immigrants living in Canada. May he rest in power!


I remember Jim’s encouraging presence in my life and ministry. He used to drop by the congregation I was serving in the Eastern part of Toronto on Sundays to show his support. 
It was good to visit him and Marion at the Christie Gardens when I was visiting my partner’s parents last year. 
I would like to share a link to the photos I took in May 2013 when he was receiving the honorary doctorate at Emmanuel College graduation for his ministry. 
Peace,
Richard 
https://flickr.com/photos/60978342@N00/sets/72157633721770646

Jim and I send our sincere sympathies to my dear friend Marion and the rest of the Kirkwood family on the death of Jim Kirkwood.

I worked with Jim for over 20 years in the global program of The United Church of Canada. In the early 1980's, when I was receptionist and typist for the Division, one of my daily tasks wad doing the photocopying for all of the DWO staff. Jim always had the most to copy - many articles for the network interested in being updated about apartheid in South Africa. As I waited in line to use the machine, I read some of the articles and determined to take some copies home to share with my partner Jim. These articles educated and radicalized us about action for social justice.

So began our long journey to action for justice .We have much to thank Jim for.

Again we send our deepest sympathy, amid many happy memories, to Marion and the children.

Love,
Deborah (and Jim) Marshall

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

James Alexander Kirkwood

14 janvier 1933 – 17 septembre 2020

Giffen-Mack and Trull Funeral Home

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