It is with profound sadness that the family of James Laird Irvine announce his peaceful passing at home on November 20, 2022 at the age of 79 years. Jim was born in 1943 in Campbellton, New Brunswick. Throughout his early life, Jim and his family lived throughout Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as his father was a Pentecostal Minister. Jim often spoke of his time on Tancook Island with great fondness and loved visiting the area to reminisce.
At 12 years of age, Jim found his first love, sports. From the first time he laced up his skates and the first time he threw a pitch, Jim shone. As a young man he excelled in both hockey and baseball, eventually joining the Detroit Red Wings organization, the Ontario Hockey League, and the World Hockey Association. He also pitched for Saskatchewan in the Canada Games. Following his professional sports career, he joined the RCMP, training in the Ottawa Depot. He was very proud of his time with the Musical Ride in particular, still enjoying watching them perform in July of this year. Jim proudly served the City of Dartmouth as an Alderman for two terms. Jim finished his career as the Executive Director of the Kidney Foundation Canada, Nova Scotia Branch. Jim considered this to be his true employment calling. Jim served the Kidney Foundation for 25 years, retiring in 2005. In retirement, Jim and Toots enjoyed their many adventures traveling the world.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, the Reverend Sifton and Betty Maxine (Dobson) Irvine. Jim is survived by his wife, Toots Inglis and his two sons, Joel Irvine (Lucy Uberoi) and Jay Irvine (Jennifer MacFarlane) and beloved grandchildren, Jackson and Ava as well as his step-children, Jennifer Inglis (Lew Turnquist), Susan Inglis (Earl Mielke) and Bruce Inglis (Melanie) and his step-grandchildren, Rebecca, Keegan, Bronwyn, Kate, Lincoln, and Lauren and his furbabies, Angel and Stella. He is also survived by his sisters, Marie Sangster and Kathy Martin and by Lynn Clements, mother of his boys.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool. His family would like to invite you to a reception and celebration of Jim’s life to be held on Friday, August 4th, 2023, from 2 – 4 pm, from Chandlers’ Funeral Home, 91 Union Street in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. All are welcome to join in remembering Jim and sharing stories and memories of his life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lunenburg/Queens Special Olympics. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.chandlersfuneral.com.
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Dot and Doug Winters
Dear Toots and family,
Our deepest condolences on Jim,s passing.
Sincerely,
Dot and Doug
Brenda and Ira Huskins
Toots, Jennifer, Susan and Bruce, sending sympathy for your loss.
Crystal Tonello
Sincere condolences to everyone. Very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Take good care, hold each other close and cherish your memories.
Crystal and Charles
Tony and Kathleen Rafuse
So very sorry for your loss.
Kathleen
Neil & Cheryl Selig
Toots and Family,
We are so very sorry for your loss.
May you find strength in the memories you created.
Neil & Cheryl
Viv Croft (Whynot)
Sorry to hear of your loss Jennifer. Take care everyone
Sandy Morrison
Sincere condolences to Jim’s family and friends. I was one of the lucky ones to play hockey with Jim, and even though it was later in his playing days, it was obvious he was a skilled player. What he lacked in speed he more than made up with his playmaking abilities. He was one of those guys I always looked forward to seeing at the rink and sharing a “pop” and stories with after our skate. Jim never lacked for stories and it seems he knew everyone. He always showed up to the rink happy, and loved everything about playing hockey – the game, the rituals, the trash talk and the post game chatter. He was very well liked by all of the guys in our group and I know they are all sad to hear of his passing. I am pretty sure there will be a toast in his honour at their next outing.
Kevin Chapman
I was fortunate to play hockey with Jim for a number of years at the Dartmouth Sportsplex. A great hockey player but an even better person. Even after he ‘retired’ from playing he’d still come to the rink every now and then just to say hi and chat with the guys. My thoughts are with all of his family; again just a wonderful person.
Cryatal Roy
Bruce and Family,
Sorry for your loss. Take comfort in your great memories and in each other.
Chris MacFarlane
So sorry to hear about Jim. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers. Love from the whole MacFarlane family.
Bruce and Charlene White
Extending sincere condolences.
Dennis & Linda MacKinnon
Toots & Family, Thinking of you during this sad time and sending you our sympathy and prayers. Dennis & Linda
David & Judy Whynott of mersey point
Condolences to Bruce, Toots and all the family on your loss. Bless you all at thisnsad time
Val Conrad
Bruce & family – Sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Sarah Leefe Ackerman
Toots and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Jim. He was a larger than life character. I have such fond memories of coming to visit you in Dartmouth with Bruce when we were at University. Jim always had a story and they often involved a celebrity. Mostly, I remember how much he made you laugh. I hope your wonderful memories of him will sustain you at this sad time.
Sending you much love,
Sarah
Sherri and Ted Roy
So sorry to hear this. May all the memories you have made together help you to get through such a sad time. Thinking of you, Sherri and Ted
WILL, TINA AND AUSTIN BAKER
Condolences to Toots, Bruce and all the family. I was one of the lucky ones to be able to have some great talks about hockey and baseball at White Point, he was a very a great story teller and a great man, he will be sadly missed.
Charlotte and Bobby Kelley
Toots and family. Please accept our sincere condolences. May your wonderful memories help you through the difficult days ahead.
Marsha & Mike Ringer
Deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
Linda
Dear Toots and family,
Please açcept my condolences on the passing of Jim. He was always a pleasure to meet and positive and upbeat. Jim gave a lot to his community, the Kidney Foundation and especially to his family. My thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Regards, Linda
Jill Taylor
My thoughts are with everyone. Treasure the memories.
Celeste Baxter
Condolences to Toots, Joel, Jay and your families.
Carol Castle and John Guildford
Dear Toots and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Our deepest condolences to you all. Hoping all of your wonderful memories and family bring you comfort. Sending healing prayers and hugs.
Carol and John
LAURA DOBSON
I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to everyone who loved him and will miss him. Laura Dobson
BilliJo
Sorry to read of Jim’s passing. I hope you are able to keep his spirit alive in the many stories and memories you all had with him. ❤️❤️❤️
Thinking of you
Billi-Jo (Stubbert) Warren.
Claire
So many fond memories of Jim at the rink, ball field and yacht club. Heartfelt condolences to Jason, Joel and Toots.
Claire, Carl, Jeffery and SarahLynn
Paula & Al Doucet
Dear Toots & Family
We are very sorry to learn of Jim’s passing.
Our sincere sympathy.
Bonnie Stubbert
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing . Our sincere condolences to all. Bonnie & Allan Stubbert
Leon & Norma Robertson
Dear Toots we are so sorry to hear your sad news. Our deepest sympathies to all the family.
Leon & Norma
Randy Stewart
Sad to read this today. Mr Irvine, I could never call him Jim, was one of a kind. In the best way. Think of you all, Jay, Joel and Toots.
Randy, Brenda and Dwayne Stewart.
Ron Clifton
Jay, Mrs. Clifton and I send prayers to you and your family. .
Ron Clifton
Reg Sutton
Jim was always so cool with us kids when we were young. Sending love to his family.
Lee Francis
I am so saddened to hear of Jim’s passing! I would like to send my deepest condolences to his family(Toots, Joel and Jay). May you all find much love and comfort through our creator, family and friends! God bless all! RIP my friend!
Doug and Pat Lohnes
Toots and family: we are thinking of you during this difficult time. God bless.
Barb Snarby
Dear Toots and Family
We were so very sorry to hear of your loss. May wonderful memories and the support of your family and friends help you through this most difficult time.
Barb and Ulf
John and Donna Murray
Dear Toots and family
We were saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. Thinking of you! Sincere condolences……
Marilyn Whynot
To Toots and family sending my sincere condolences on your loss.
Michelle and Greg
Dear Toots and family,
We are so sad to hear the news of Jim’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family. We didn’t realize we were making memories, but we did know we were having fun.
Fran Boutilier
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Such good memories of Jim’s commitment to the Kidney Foundation and his endless energy and support of our Summer Dialysis project! Peace and blessings.
Vernon & Joyce Hawkes
Our Condolences to Toots and all the family. Treasure the Memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Hugh Mosher
Dear Toots, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I never had the pleasure of meeting Jim but from what I have read he was a wonderful person. I do hope your memories will help you all going forward. Hugh
Suzanne & Jason Kassouf
Toots & family, we are thinking of you all & saying lots of prayers for you! May he Rest In Peace.
Judy Bishop
Rich and I are both so sorry for your loss Toots. We’re thinking of you and praying your memories will bring you some comfort.
Tracy Kempton (Nicholson)
Oh Joel and Jay & Family’s;
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your dad.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all, during this most difficult time.
Tracy
Robert & Sally Fader
Toots and family:
So very sorry to be reading this. Sending our sincere condolences at this very difficult time.
Sarah Brownlow During
I’m sorry to hear about Jim. I always looked forward to seeing him and sharing our many Dartmouth stories and connections. He was a great guy and loved all of his adventures with Toots and was a super proud grandpa to Jackson and Ava. Sending peace and love to Toots, Joel and Jason and their families.
Ian Niven
Toots, Joei, Jay and family;
My sincere condolences to you all. Thinking of you while you struggle though this difficult time. Jim was a fine person.
Cherish your memories of him.
,
Gillian Head
So sorry for your loss.
Kevin W MacDonald
Irvine Family
So sorry to hear about your loss at HRM Council meeting yesterday.
I met Jim back in his political days and always popped into Gentlemen’s Quarters to say hi to him.
Jim was a true leader and a man’s man. His flashy outfits and kool presence made guys like me want to be like Jim.
RIP Alderman Irvine.
Bob doucett
Very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Never met a nicer guy. A life well lived.
David and Jeanne Large
Dear Toots and family,
What a diverse and wonderful life your Jim had. We had never met him but marvelled at his contributions to sport, health, politics, law and family. He also shared your love of travel which you both were able to enjoy in retirement. You will have many happy memories to relive after the pain of loss passes. Our sympathy and thoughts are with you.
Dave & Jeanne
Valerie & Roger Wilcox
Toots and family,
We were so saddened to learn of your loss. We are thinking of you “all” during this most difficult time. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
Donna Walker
Toots so sorry to read of Jims passing He was a man among men and will be greatly missed Prayers to you and the family
DOUG SABEAN
Toots, I am saddened and shocked to hear of Jim’s passing. It has been several years since I last spoke with Jim, but have many fond memories of our time together at the Kidney Foundation. I will forever cherish those memories and in particular our trips together to Montreal and other parts of Canada, the social gatherings at “The Horseshoe”, the rides together in the Caddie, the hockey and Bowling fundraisers, and the many, many tennis matches. I offer my sincere condolences to you and the rest of Jim’s family and Sandra and I offer our thoughts and prayers.
Anthony Chisholm
To Jim’s family my sincere condolences . Worked with him in the 80’s for KFOC to which he was dedicated. He was a great influence for me and he would always proudly speak of his “boys” accomplishments.
mike mcguigan
too bad, he was one of the good guys. always smiling and upbeat. always tanned and had more bling then anyone i know. we played hockey on the same line, he was my favorite right winger. took the warm up with no helmet, old school. a classy guy. my condolence to the family and my friend joel. ” you will be missed jim”
Justinian Mist Martin
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the entire Irvine family, especially Joel. Joel, if there is anything you need during this difficult time just let me know.
Cliff Williams
Dear Toots and Family,
Chris and I were so sorry to read of Jim’s passing. I enjoyed working with him during my years with the Kidney Foundation in Dartmouth and will be forever grateful to him for recruiting me after the Mayoralty race there in 1991. Jim certainly was a goer and seemed to apply himself 100% at whatever the task was at the time.
Only Good Memories!
Cliff Williams
Windsor, NS
Judy McPhee
Dear Joel,
I’m so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Lucy and your family.
Take comfort and peace of the special memories you hold in your heart. Love and hugs, Judy and Hannah McPhee
Bernie and Barbara Hart
It was with profound sadness that we learned of Jim’s death. We reflect on Jim as a Council colleague, an integral part of the Kidney Foundation leadership team, a sailing buddy, a friend who enjoyed life, storytelling, and could entertain at any function.
May you .rest in peace, and your memories be a blessing.
John Graham
Hello Toots: Really saddened to read of Jim’s passing this morning in the paper. I have very fond memories of Jim and our several survivals of raising money for the Nova Scotia Kidney Foundation by way of the Marathon Radio Broadcasts when I worked for CHFX-FM radio. These were definitely some of the best memories of my career in radio along with the pizza meetings at your home at the Horseshoe. Always remember Jim as being one of the good guys to be around. My condolences to you and family at this sad time.
Kevin McNamara
My condolences to Jim’s family. I remember him as a Dartmouth Alderman, owner of Gentleman’s Quarters and many activities around Dartmouth. Always a gentleman
Charlie Verge
Toots and family:
I was so sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. Jim and I shared many conversations over the years about policing, city of Dartmouth, his boys ballgames and his love for Toots. I met Jim when I was on the police force in Dartmouth.
Jim was a super guy and I seen him a few years ago and had a catch up on everything. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time in your lives.
Kind Thoughts
Charlie A. Verge
Hannah McKinnon
Toots, Bruce, Jennifer , Susan and Families,
Sending heartfelt condolences on the loss of Jim. You are in our thoughts.
Jeff and Hannah McKinnon
Ray Timmons
I met Jim in 1996 playing hockey Like all the other players they wanted him on their line what a great player and wicked person all round , we played for the next 20 years til he retired from the game , I enjoyed all the beers and laughs Jim RIP my Friend ❤️
Terry Havill
To Toots and family,
My most heartfelt condolences on the loss of Jim.
I have so many fond memories of my time with Jim at The Kidney Foundation, in his role as Executive Director he and I collaborated on many things over the years.
Some of my most cherished memories with Jim come from our time at White Point Beach Lodge during an Annual Meeting many years ago.
Jim was an amazing person. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this very sad time.
Terry
Dinny Holroyd
Dear Toots I was saddened to learn that Jim passed away. I have so many wonderful memories of working with him at the Kidney Foundation. When I came to Nova Scotia to visit Chapters he drove me around and shared stories of his involvement in sports and the RCMP. He was clearly loved by the many volunteers he worked with. Please accept my deepest sympathy to you and his family. Many hugs and lots of love. Dinny
Bob Curley
Sending along my sincere sympathy to Jim’s family at this time. I grew up not far from where Jim lived in New Glasgow and was fortunate to play some hockey and baseball with Jim …….a terrific athlete for sure and one heckuva nice guy .
RIP
Elizabeth Myles
On behalf of the entire Kidney Foundation family of employees and volunteers past and present, I would like to offer our deepest condolences.
Although I did not have the privilege of working with Jim myself, his reputation at the Foundation is well-known. Many employees and volunteers who knew him shared memories of times spent alongside a man of great warmth and kindness. Jim made an immeasurable difference in the lives of so many throughout his 25-year career at The Kidney Foundation. He was a prolific fundraiser, and the Nova Scotia branch knew unprecedented success under his directorship; a success he unfailingly attributed to his volunteers.
His influence was felt far beyond the borders of Nova Scotia, having served on several significant projects at a national level. His leadership, good nature and motivational skills were appreciated by all his colleagues. He will be missed.
Elizabeth Myles
National Executive Director
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
Lorna / Rob Bradley
To Toots & Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss.
Lorna & Rob Bradley
Lisa White
So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing Joel. My condolences sent to you and your family.
Keith Bridgeo
Sorry for your loss.Joel.Jay and family.Condolences from Yarmouth Gateways fraternity.Keith Bridgeo.
Anna Deveaux
Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I have lots of great memories working with Jim through the Cape Breton Chapter of the Kidney Foundation and as a hospital social worker in Sydney. He was a kind and caring person, very professional and dedicated.
Tom McDonald
Joel and all other family members, please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Jim. It was a pleasure to have met him at the ballfield. He was unparalleled in his umpiring abilities from the first base stands, along with being a true gentleman.We are sorry for your loss. From the McDonald family, Tom, Kathy, Carli, Mike, Mike, and Matt
Allan & Beth LaRocque
Bruce and Family
We are very sorry to hear of Jim passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kim Masland, MLA
Dear Toots and Family,
Please accept my condolences for your loss. I hope your many cherished memories shared comfort your hurting heart. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Gary and Brenda MacAulay
Dear Toots and family.
Dear Toots and family.
Our sincere condolence in your loss of Jim. We are thinking of you in this difficult time.
Gary and Brenda MacAulay
Pam Dill
Dear Toots,
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Having worked with him on many Kidney Foundation projects, I realized he dedicated his life to helping people. His dedication was unfailing, and he touched the lives of so many people.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time.
Pam
Joyce Van Deurzen
Dear Toots,
Sending love to you and all Jim’s family. Like so many others, I have great memories of working with Jim over many years at the Kidney Foundation. He taught us all so much about working with volunteers through his example. He has left a wonderful legacy.
Joyce Van Deurzen
Executive Director
Southern Alberta Branch & Saskatchewan Branch
The Kidney Foundation of Canada
Anice DeMond
Dear Toots and family.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Anice
Mark Monk
To Toots and Family, very fond memories of Jim (through the Kidney Foundation. From Joan, Mark, and Kimberley Monk
Donnie MacAdam
Toots, Joel, Jay & family, so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Our sincere condolonces to you all at this difficult time. So many memories to cherish. R.I.P. Jim
Donnie & Norma MacAdam
Mike Devaney
I just found notice of Jim’s passing, and would like to offer my condolences to his family. Jim and I enjoyed a friendship during our RCMP training, and travelled together from Ottawa to our posting in Saskatoon. We met for the last time in Manitoba as we were ending our annual leave. We lost touch after he left the force, but I often fondly remember our time together. I had hoped to reconnect someday, but it was not to be.
Jim will always be a good part of those memories from a time long past.
Resr well my friend.
Mike Devaney
Bonnie Stubbert
Our sincere condolences Toots and family. Bonnie&Allan Stubbert
jamie and Danny
Toots, we were so sad to hear of Jim’s passing. Jim was a good neighbour and became a good friend and Koe loved him as did he. We always enjoyed our dinners together and he always had a good story to tell. He expected nothing but gave everything in return. Love to you and family, jamie and Danny
Linda Trainor
To James’ family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Take care & GOD Bless!
Linda & Robert Trainor
Jean Strum
Dear Toots and family:
Please accept my sincere condolences at your loss of Jim. May God go with you as you move forward. Try to remember the good times, it really does help.
Sincerely,
Jean Strum