James Simpson Boyle

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of James Simpson Boyle on October 3rd, 2013 at his home at the Mulberry Estates in Moose Jaw. Jim was born June 15th, 1923 in Moose Jaw to Verna and Chester Boyle. He will be sadly missed by his family, daughter Wendy of Regina, his sons, Randy (Nora) of Ladysmith, BC and Greg (Kim) of the Moose Jaw District, grandchildren born to Greg and Kim, Cali Boyle (Sina) of Vancouver, Patrick (Alyssa) of Moose Jaw. Jim was so delighted to have three great grandchildren, Jackson, Annabelle and Rosalie, born to Alyssa and Patrick. He will also be greatly missed by his sister, Bernice Stirton of Comax, BC. He was predeceased by his sister, Lillian Anderson, and his long-time friend and brother-in-law, Alan Stirton. Jim married the love of his life Wilma Bush on July 29th, 1946. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage until Wilma’s passing on July 2nd, 2011. Jim so much appreciated phone calls and visits from his family, nieces and nephews, extended family members, friends and acquaintances at the Mulberry.  He was a man of the land who dedicated much of his life to the agriculture industry. In 1946, Jim and Wilma bought their first farm in the Davie district north of Moose Jaw. They moved to the Petrolia district in 1952 and stayed on their beloved farm until retiring to the Mulberry in 2008. Jim was never one to stay idle and like all young farmers starting out in the 1940s he and Wilma raised cattle, pigs and chickens. He did custom combining, and for 12 years operated a portable grain cleaner in the outlying districts around Moose Jaw. Jim was also an extremely hard worker and realized in the mid 1960s that he would need to also have an income off the farm. He then started selling farm equipment for the local Cockshutt dealer, the Baclin Brothers.  In 1970, he started a 12 year career selling cars at Western Dodge. He was a strong supporter of dodge products especially half-ton dodge trucks, so much so that he would end up buying a new one every year he worked at Western Dodge. Harvest was Jim’s favourite time of the year. He loved being in the field; it was his sanctuary. He would be more than happy to spend hour after hour on a combine or air seeder and to help neighbours. He enjoyed his Versatile Four Wheel Tractors and his John Deere 9600 combine and concord air drill. In his retirement life instead of a combine, he bought a scooter to drive around at the Mulberry, and being the practical inventor he was, he created a system to pull Wilma down the hall on her walker. Jim was a man of travel. He and Wilma enjoyed their trips to Ontario, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma and the West Coast. Their tour of Ireland for their 50th wedding anniversary was very special and so was the party! For over 20 years they spent part of the winter months at the Cedarwood Lodge in Sydney, BC where they made lifelong friends. Jim was also a lucky fisherman; he especially enjoyed camping and fishing trips around Saskatchewan with friends, Bob and Flo McCurdy, Bob McDougall, Frank Lambertus and Leif Duchek. Jim was also a man of principle; always taking the time to teach his children and grandchildern many of the lessons he learned in life. Jim loved a good joke and to make people laugh. He had a quick wit and enjoyed nothing better than teasing his wife and daughter. Christmas was his favourite time of the year, being able to have his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren together made him very happy. A farewell viewing will take place from 8 – 9:00 pm on Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 in the Moose Jaw Funeral Home for family and friends. Funeral Services will be held in Moose Jaw Funeral Home on Thursday, October 10th, 2013 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim’s name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Sask., 279 3rd Ave. N., Saskatoon, Sk, S7K 2H8.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Gary McDowell, Funeral Director. 693-4550.