James George Bulger “Jim” 1935 - 2021 passed away peacefully in Summerfield, NC on January 31, 2021. He is survived by Carmel, his best friend and loving wife of 60 years; children Janet (Douglas), Bob (Johanne), and Brian (Renee); and grandchildren Jim, Lindsay, Conor, Ally, Charlotte, David, Ben, Sammy, and Carling. He is predeceased by his children Vincent Bernard and Nancy Ann, parents Vincent and Justina, and siblings John, Bill, Ellen, Joe, Rita, and Tom.
Known as Big Jim to many, a testament to both his stature and his heart, he was a gentleman and a true Canadian. Some might say he was a renaissance man, and they would be right. A man of exceptional good humour, compassion and deep love of family and friends, Jim was always there with an empathetic ear and kind words of encouragement or advice to guide, counsel, console, motivate and inspire, to set you on your way again. With that same humility, humour and graceful ease he could captivate and command any room. Jim valued hard work and celebrated the success of his family, friends, and colleagues. To his own success he was ever humble, citing good fortune, good people, and circumstance.
Born during the Great Depression in Cudworth, Saskatchewan in 1935, Jim was the second youngest of seven children. The family moved to Saskatoon in 1939, where Jim would spend his formative years. The son of a teacher, his father instilled in him the value of both education and hard work. By the age of 14 his resume included paper boy (Saskatoon Star-Phoenix), golf caddy, lawn maintenance, meat delivery, server & cook, and farm labourer. Those often frosty Saskatoon days were not remembered for the work and lean times but rather they were defined by the love of family, friends, school and sports activities, most notably hockey at which Jim excelled.
The year 1950 saw a move back to Ontario. After a year in Geraldton, the family returned to their roots, settling back in the Ottawa area. Jim continued to add to his resume while pursuing excellence in both academics and sports. At the age of 15 he worked in the MacLeod-Cockshutt gold mines in Geraldton, ON. Over the next several years Jim worked as a tallyman for Kimberly-Clark where he famously spent much time ‘in the bush’, as a home-builder, commercial construction worker, pinsetter at the Manotick bowling alley, lead truck packer, and truck driver. He fondly recalled his time as a labourer at Watson’s Grist Mill in Manotick, where his boss, Mr. Watson, reinforced in him the importance of hard work, honesty, and fairness.
At the age of 18 and unable to afford the cost of university he spent the next 2 years as sixth hand and lab foreman at E.B. Eddy Papermakers. In 1956 he enrolled in Queen’s University through the Officer Training Program with the RCAF where he was stationed in Winnipeg during the summers of 1957 - 1960 for aircrew training, earning his wings. As a navigator, Jim forged numerous lifelong friendships and flew many memorable flights aboard the Argus.
Through the RCAF Jim earned his degree in Chemical Engineering. It was during his time at Queen’s he had a most fortuitous meeting with a young lady in brown slacks at the local skating rink. Jim found his life partner in Carmel Patterson, at just 22, the head nurse on the surgical unit at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston. Their marriage of 60 years was filled with love, laughter and devotion.
Following his stint in the RCAF, Jim, Carmel and their young family moved to Oakville, Ontario where Jim took a position with Monsanto Corp. It was during this period of time that Jim took up the game of golf, which would remain a passion for the remainder of his life. In 1967, Jim moved on to Lubrizol Corp. where we would work until his retirement in 1995. Through those years Jim and Carmel crisscrossed the globe establishing life-long friendships with colleagues and customers alike. While Jim enjoyed his work, it was these interactions and relationships that he truly treasured.
In 1972 Jim and Carmel bought their first home, settling in Burlington, ON. It was a home built on a foundation of love, caring and mutual respect. It was there they raised their family and cultivated many cherished friendships. Summer weekends of golf and dining at the Burlington Golf & Country Club were followed by Oldtimers hockey in the winter months. In between were countless family and social gatherings, BBQs, and renowned shrimp parties. The pigskin was often tossed about out front, with dad’s callouts “get diggin” or “fade” to one of the boys. And every now and again, a deep baritone filled the house with ‘Home on the Range’, dad’s signature (and only) tune.
Upon retirement, Jim and Carmel split their time between a cottage in Muskoka and a home in Florida. During these Golden Years, they saw their children marry and over time saw the arrival of 11 grandchildren. The memories created and the good times had over the years will stay with us all for the remainder of our days.
In closing, it is near impossible to convey a complete picture of Jim and the impact he had on all those that had the pleasure of knowing him. While this missive is far from brief, it is in no way comprehensive, for you cannot sum up the man in but a few paragraphs. In the end, Jim Bulger was an incredible Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend.
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