James Carl Stitt, a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 28, 2016, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Fort William, Ontario on December 1, 1925 to Carl and Mary Ellen Stitt.
He was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy, serving on HMCS Meon, in the Second World War as a telegrapher and cryptologist and travelling in a convoy between Newfoundland and Northern Ireland.
After the war, he joined the weigh staff of the Board of Grain Commissioners, worked for many years in the grain elevators, was involved in organizing the PSAC in Thunder Bay for the weighing and sampling staff and eventually became Chief Weighmaster for Thunder Bay. After his retirement in 1980, he worked for the City of Thunder Bay until he really retired in 2000 but remained close to his friends at the Police garage, regularly having coffee at the Persian Man with his dear friend Hans and others.
He was an avid musician, played the clarinet and saxophone, during most of his life.
He actually practised, setting a great example for his children and grandchildren who have followed in his footsteps as musicians. He was a member of the Fort William City Band, Navy Band, Army Band, Legion and City Band and played in various dance bands during and after the war.
He married Viola Mae Malo in 1946 and enjoyed 55 years of happy marriage until Vi predeceased him in 2001. He was a long time member of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Royal Canadian Legion. Jim is survived by his three children, Ron (Rose), Mary Jane and Catherine (Greg) and four grandchildren, Michelle (Erik), Robert (Crystal), Lauren and Devon and two great grandchildren Cameron and Corey. He was predeceased by his sister Marge Holm and brother Don Stitt and is survived by his brother in law Carl Holm and children Jeff, Greg and Karen.
He was a favourite “Uncle Jim” to many nieces, nephews, Malo cousins and friends including Matthew who adopted him as an honourary uncle. He will be greatly missed but we know that he is now happily reunited with his wife and the love of his life, Vi.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 11 am followed by a reception in the church and then private interment at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in honour of Jim to Northern Hearts, 1165 Barton St., Thunder Bay Ontario P7B 5N3 or a charity of your choice.
James Stitt will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 11, 2017.
