Obituary of James "Jim" Henry Cummings

CUMMINGS, James Henry

Jim passed away in his apartment at the Wentworth Heights Retirement Residence in Hamilton on March 27, 2018. He was a few days shy of his 92^ndbirthday. Jim was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 3, 1926 to Charles and Marie (Wade). The family returned to Hamilton shortly after Jim was born. Being an American citizen, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served two years on the USS Iowa during WWII. Post war he finished high school and met “Pat” Agnes (Maguire). They were married in Hamilton in 1947. Pat died in 1987 and Jim later became reacquainted with a recently widowed long-time family friend, Mary Oswald (née Scott). They married in the fall of 1988. Jim worked at the Canadian National Railway building in Hamilton and enjoyed playing industrial league baseball and hockey with his pals, as well as participating in the winter bowling league. Though he moved locations several times he stayed with CNR throughout his career until his retirement in 1985. While retired he was active in the Hamilton Santa Claus Parade committee, enjoyed woodworking, exercising, his weekly Wednesday morning breakfasts with old friends, trailering around North America with Mary, and never missed an event with his large, extended family. He loved to read fiction and to talk sports. Jim was a kind and caring person and will be very fondly remembered by his sons Rory (Janice Blackburn), Sean (Mary Rose) and Kevin (Sharon) and his grandchildren Liam, Amanda, Katie, Bridget, Nick and Kelsey; and by his brothers and sisters Ed (Linda), Paul (Sharon), Adrienne (Mike) Sloan and Eileen (Mario) Suffoletta and all the nieces and nephews. He was also warmly embraced by the Oswald clan and will be affectionately remembered by his stepson Randy and step-grandchildren Kal, Anita, Jennifer, Sarah, their partners and children. Jim was predeceased by his wives Pat and Mary; his brother Don; Mary’s daughter Lynn; and Randy’s wife Nancy. A celebration of Jim’s life will take place at a time and place to be announced at a later date. To contact the family or send a message of condolence please email: rememberjameshenry@gmail.com. Notes of sympathy and condolence may be left at www.donaldvbrown.ca