James Wilson

James Wilson in his 84th year passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on April 22, 2022 after a short battle with cancer.

Son of Norman and Edith (Jesse) WILSON, brother of Norman (Mickey) Wilson (Donna/Terry WILSON), Kent (Duke) Wilson, Ron Williamson (Jose Williamson). Husband of Ruth (Rasmussen) Wilson 63 years of love and devotion. Son In Law to Johannes and Solvejg Rasmussen. Father of Deborah Cox (Michael), Elisa French (Terry), Amanda Thomas (Richard), Christian. Grandfather to Aaron Cox (Caroline Irvine), Courtney Sierakowski (Cox) (Mitchell), Tyler French, Tiffany French, Daelin Thomas (Caitlyn Godzik), Kaeleb Thomas (Claire Thomson). Great Grandfather to the highly anticipated arrival of his first great grandchildren! Courtney and Mitchell Sierakowski are blessing our family with twin boys! We know that they will have a very special angel watching over them. James also lovingly known as Jimmy or Jim was born on October 10, 1938 in Toronto, Ontario to loving parents Norman and Edith (Jesse) Wilson.

He spent his childhood years having many adventures with his brothers and friends. Growing up on Bishop Street he made many lifelong friends and eventually met the love of his life Ruth Rasmussen. It didn’t take them long to realize they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together and they were married on October 11, 1958. James became part of a very special and loving family, the Rasmussen’s. He enjoyed learning about his wife’s native Denmark and was always there when the family needed him in true Jimmy style! Together Jim and Ruth bought their first house on Lamberton Blvd in North York and would raise their four children in a very loving and caring home. Jim worked very hard and was a highly respected salesman for Can-Rad Beauty Supplies (Radiant Beauty Supplies). He had a very large territory and valued the friendships he made at Can-Rad Beauty Supplies and with his customers, keeping in touch with many throughout his life. Soon Jim and Ruth were blessed with children and Jim always put his family first, making sure everyone had all that they needed. That included many amazing summer holidays at his childhood favourite Four Mile Lake, hauling his camper to Killbear Park and numerous cottages that he rented over the years. There were even a couple family visits to his wife’s native Denmark too.

Jim enjoyed sharing his love of fishing with his children and has baited many hooks in his day. As the children grew it was time for Jim and Ruth to enjoy some holidays of their own. They have many treasured memories of their trips to Florida with his brother Mickey and his wife Terry and to Mexico. Jim and Ruth grew to love Mexico and went back many years. Time carried on and soon Jim and Ruth were enjoying retirement with winters in Mexico with his Mexican son Oliver Munoz and his family, and summers in their new home in Barrie, Ontario. But Jim could not sit still for long and soon found himself employed at Carpe Diem apple orchard! Here he learned the art of apple keeping and helped harvest in the fall and learned how to prune in the spring. More importantly, he made many more life long friends. Even after retirement from the orchards you could still find Jim making his way there when it was break time to visit and catch up with his apple picking friends.

Jim enjoyed retirement with Ruth and they would go for long walks around the lake, drives to Fenelon Falls for his oil changes, caring for the garden and enjoying the grandchildren that they loved so dearly. Jim loved having conversations on the phone with his friends and family and always looked forward to hearing from them and catching up. He also enjoyed keeping an eye on the neighborhood so that everyone was safe. If Ruth was out and about (usually shopping - according to Jim) and wasn’t home in time for dinner, he would make his way to his favourite restaurant - Wimpy’s for a burger. Jim was a devoted Maple Leafs Fan. He and his son Christian would don their jerseys and would often take in a game in Toronto. He also loved the Blue Jays and had many game memories with his son there too. When Jim was no longer able to make the trip to Toronto for the games, Christian brought the game to him on a big screen in his living room and all the family would join in! These are the loving memories we will always have of our dad.

Jim will be missed terribly by his family and friends. Everyone loved Jim. He was kind, generous and always there to help whoever was in need. There is a void in our family and in our hearts now that he is gone. We are thankful to have so many amazing memories to make us smile until we are all together again. Rather than mourn the loss of the flame… Celebrate the warmth and the glow that it gave.

A Celebration of Life will be held on:
Monday June 6, 2022
2pm-5pm Open House
7 Tomlin Court
Barrie, Ontario
L4N7H1

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:
Sick Kids Hospital Autism Research. You can donate by calling 416-813-6166 or
http://secure.sickkidsfoundation.com/donate choose dedication. They will have Jim’s information.