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- (Research):The Record, Kitchener, Ont., Nov. 13, 2004, pg. B.5
JAMES GINGRICH 1947-2004 Passed away peacefully, at his home, while surrounded by his family and close friends, on Thursday, November 11, 2004. Jim was 57. Beloved husband and best friend of Bonnie (Albrecht), for 33 years. Jim was a devoted and loving father to Tara of Toronto and Jason of Waterloo. He will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Matilda Gingrich of Elmira; brother and sisters, Florence and Darrell Jantzi, Pauline and Allen Martin, Cliff and Yvonne Gingrich, Carol and Dalton Jantzi and Darlene and Eric Frede. Jim will also be fondly remembered by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lucille and Harry Albrecht of Kitchener; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jay Albrecht and Sylke Spiller, Darlene and Dwight Gingrich, Roger Albrecht, Marilew Albrecht and Steve Martin, Matthew Albrecht and Meagan Earle; his nieces and nephews and many dear and special friends. He was predeceased by his father, Ivan Gingrich; brother, Larry Gingrich and brother-in-law, Tim Albrecht. Jim lived his life with integrity. He showed us compassion, acceptance and what it meant to be a friend. He will be remembered for his vibrant personality, adventurous spirit and passion for life. His friendship will be missed. Jim was a dedicated employee of Decortile Ltd. in St. Jacobs for nearly 30 years where he was Project Manager. He was active at Erb Street Mennonite Church where he was a former chair of the Board of Property and very involved in the recent building project. Jim loved being on the water and especially enjoyed the last two summers sailing with his family and friends aboard his sailboat, "Home Free". Friends are invited to share their memories of Jim with his family at the Edward R. Good Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, today (Saturday) and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at Erb Street Mennonite Church, 131 Erb Street West, Waterloo, on Monday, November 15, 2004, at 2 p.m., with Rev. Eleanor Epp- Stobbe officiating. Cremation has taken place. Following the service, friends and relatives are invited to join the family for the committal service at Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery. In memory of Jim, donations to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, the Building Fund of Erb Street Mennonite Church or the Mennonite Central Committee would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy and can be arranged through the funeral home. Following the committal service at the cemetery, friends and relatives are invited to Erb Street Mennonite Church for refreshments and a time to visit with the family.
From THE RECORD, Kitchener, Ontario
'Man on a mission' never gave up hope
Jim Gingrich
VALERIE HILL
(Jul 14, 2005)
Jim Gingrich of Waterloo
Born: Sept. 14, 1947, in Kitchener
Died: Nov. 11, 2004, of cancer
Jim Gingrich knew the value of relationships and spent his life holding close the people he loved.
"I didn't know how to be happy . . . until I met Jimmy," said his wife, Bonnie Gingrich. "He was kinda goofy and funny. He was just himself."
Jim was born the middle of seven children to a Floradale farm couple. His parents, Ivan and Matilda, grew up Old Order Mennonite. After marriage, they adopted a more modern way of life but didn't abandon their religious principals, and as a young man, Jim rebelled.
He was always the noisy one in church, the wild boy who took to life with fearlessness. When barely more than a toddler, he once joined his father on the barn roof, having scaled a ladder when no one was looking. Jim was never afraid. Cliff Gingrich said his brother died with few unfulfilled desires.
"If Jim dreamed it, Jim did it," Cliff said. "Jim was usually a man on a mission . . . he accomplished life with zeal and determination."
Bonnie said her husband fulfilled one particular dream in 2002 by purchasing a boat, a nine-metre Catalina he called Home Free.
"You couldn't wipe the smile off his face," she said. It is the photos of Jim on his boat, his face radiant with happiness, that she cherishes.
But there was a serious side to Jim, a sense of responsibility that made him an exceptional family man devoted to Bonnie and their children, Tara and Jason.
Bonnie said her husband "had a very good upbringing" and it was such an upbringing that helped Jim grow into the confident, fun guy that Bonnie fell in love with. She was, she admits, an uptight young woman until she met happy-go-lucky Jim at a hockey game and her world suddenly shifted.
"I learned so much from him and his family," said Bonnie, who thought of her young man as cool, charming, a guy who didn't play by the rules.
Throughout their marriage, Jim was as adventurous about his careers as his leisure time -- if it wasn't panning out, he'd move on to something more promising, without complaint.
The gregarious guy with the mischievous grin spent most of his working life in the flooring business, the last 30 years as a project manager. But he also dabbled in real estate and operated his own retail outlet. Jim was a born salesperson, and people -- particularly children -- naturally gravitated to him.
"He had a certain energy about him, a charisma that just made you feel good to be around," Terry said. That energy included an unflappable disposition.
"He never got angry, he was very calm," said Bonnie, explaining that Jim was the sort of guy who simply faced and dealt with problems.
Throughout their marriage, Jim remained close to his childhood friends. In the eulogy, the children of those men recalled, "They joked together, played solo together, fished together, cut (each other's) hair together, boated together, camped together, skied together, made musical bodily noises together, did odd jobs together."
In June 2004, Jim was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, a diagnosis that came too late. Jim decided to die at home and two weeks after being released from hospital his friends rallied, taking turns to stay at his side round the clock. They held a Halloween gathering, dressing up for his amusement. New babies were brought for Jim to see, to touch. He was never abandoned and he never abandoned hope.
"He was so vulnerable, so weak and thin," Tom Jutzi remembered. "Yet he so graciously received care from friends without embarrassment or awkwardness."
One such day, Tom gave his friend the thumbs up.
"A little rustling began under the sheets," said Tom. It was Jim, slowly raising his hand, straight up and into a victory fist.
"I just couldn't help but laugh and cry," said Tom. "It was so Jim . . . he was such a lovable character."
Jim Gingrich leaves behind his wife, Bonnie, and a son, Jason, both of Waterloo, a daughter, Tara, of Toronto, his mother, Matilda, of Elmira, and five siblings.
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