James Owen Jennings

James “Jim” passed away peacefully on March 26, 2023, in his 92nd year, holding the hand of his wife Anastasia and surrounded by family. Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anastasia (nee Kennedy), his son Wayne (Sandra), his grandchildren Kenneth (Jessica), Christian (Victoria), Moria (Texas), and Matthias (Ashleigh), his great grandchildren Gabrielle, Sienna and Alexandra, his sisters Anne Keon (Wilbert) and Rose Marie Levesque (Philippe). Jim was predeceased by his son Brian, and his brothers Jack (Marilyn) and Bob (Jeannine).

Jim was born in the Irish Catholic village of Sheenboro, Quebec on July 6, 1931, the oldest of 5 children. The family moved to Rouyn, Quebec in 1934, returning to Sheenboro in 1942. While living in Rouyn, Jim became fully bilingual, which helped him throughout his life and business career. Jim left Sheenboro in 1950 to attend McGill University and graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) in 1956.

Jim and Anastasia were married in August 1958. They had two children, Brian and Wayne.

Jim spent his entire career in the heavy civil construction industry and the family of four moved to where the work took them, including; Deep River, Labrador City, Boucherville, Trois Rivieres, Churchill Falls, Toronto, Port Hawkesbury, Cornwall and finally to what would become their long-term home, Ottawa.

The family settled in Ottawa in 1972 and after the boys were enrolled in university in 1980, Jim and Stasia continued to follow the heavy construction trail and took a two-year posting on a large hydroelectric project in Nigeria and then a further year on a similar project in Indonesia. Jim worked in Ottawa from 1984 until 1990 and then finished his career spending 4 years on the Hibernia project in Newfoundland.

For their retirement, Jim and Stasia spent summers (May to October) at their cottage “Chez Copain” on the Ottawa River in Sheenboro, Quebec and winters at their condo, overlooking the same river in Ottawa.

Jim loved the cottage as it was close to his homestead and was neighbored by his family. Jim and Stasia were great hosts and loved to welcome and entertain friends and family at the cottage.

Jim adored his family and especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandpa Jim will be missed.

As per Jim’s wishes a private viewing with immediate family was held, followed by cremation.

A funeral mass and celebration of life will be held for Jim on Friday, May 26 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul the Hermit Catholic Church in Sheenboro, Quebec, followed by burial at Sheenboro Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Sheenboro Church Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.