June 25, 1941 – July 13, 2023
Jim Searle passed away peacefully on July 13, 2023, at the Riverview Health Centre.
He was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia in April 2021 and his early mantra had been “Let’s make the best of a bad thing”.
Jim was born to Margaret and LaVerne Searle in Saskatoon, SK and the family moved to Flin Flon, Manitoba when he was 4 years old.
After a happy boyhood with his 2 brothers and friends he left Flin Flon after grade 12 and spent a couple of years at the University of Winnipeg as well as engaging in various work experiences.
He met his wife Helen of 56 years on a blind date. When Helen’s career took her to Montreal in 1965, Jim followed. They married in 1966 & returned to Winnipeg in 1968.
In the early 70’s Jim was fortunate to be involved in the Canada Land Inventory Project (CLI). Jim valued the years spent in natural habitat and he gained new friends, education and work experience.
In the 80’s /90’s Jim’s work experiences expanded into sales; wholesale books – primarily children’s literature. From sales to regional sales management and then national marketing management working in Winnipeg and Toronto, Jim was part of a very challenging industry.
Jim was a keen sportsman. Hockey was his game both in Flin Flon and Winnipeg, rugby in Montreal, cross country skiing in Manitoba, Ontario and Wisconsin. He participated in fly-in canoe trips which took him to northern Manitoba lakes and rivers. He enjoyed sailing, windsurfing, mountain biking & paddling the canoe at the Willard Lake cottage, cycling trips across the western provinces. After retirement he embraced curling and became active in two leagues at the Pembina Curling Club. He was sorry to retire from curling but was thrilled to be presented with the Golden Broom by his team-mates. All of his sporting activities were happy times shared with friends and kept him fit.
Jim’s love was shared with Helen, four dogs and four cats over their married years. He shared his love of the Willard Lake cottage with friends and family over almost 4 decades. He also endured many “boring New Year’s Eve parties” at the Lake where after cross country skiing all day and a celebratory meal the challenge was to keep warm and not fall asleep before midnight.
Jim is survived by and will be missed by his beloved wife Helen (nee Gilchrist), brothers Russell (Doris) Searle, and Doug (Lisa) Searle. His sister-in-law, Pat Robb, had a special place in Jim’s heart due to her generous baking and family dinners and his brother-in -law George Robb kept both Jim and Helen informed of the Delta Beach habitat through yearly visits. He is also survived by sister-in-law Doris Gilchrist in the United States.
Jim is survived by several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews who have shared fond memories of Uncle Jim. Karen Robb (Lawren Rich), Branden ( Sarah) Wiebe, Craig (Kristin) Robb, Kate and Eric Robb , Ashley Searle (Bruce Jensen), Troy and Sarah Jensen . Erik (Mina) Searle, Christine and Adam Searle, Dawn Searle (Anthony El-Araj), Josh El-Araj, He will also be remembered by nephews Jeffery and David Gilchrist and niece Sharon Gilchrist in the U.S.A.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Margaret and LaVerne Searle, his mother and father-in-law, Anna and Bill Gilchrist and his brother-in-law Jim Gilchrist.
Jim valued many lifelong friendships, young and old alike who appreciated his support and generosity. He was always interested in participating in work projects that benefitted from extra manpower and involvement. At the same time, he welcomed the support of others for his projects where he didn’t have all the skills required.
Jim will also be remembered by dear younger generation friends, who grew up treating him like an uncle and who remained in his heart: Erin Webber (Palmer), Sonja, Stefanie and Susanna Wiens, Elin Goulden Snider.
Thank you to all family, friends and caring staff of Riverview Health Centre who helped Jim “Make the best of a bad thing”.
His life will be celebrated privately by his family & close friends.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to a charity of your choice or any of the following: St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, Health Sciences Centre Foundation, Victoria General Hospital Foundation, Riverview Health Centre Foundation.
11 thoughts on “Edward James (Jim) Searle”
A full and interesting life but gone too soon. He shall be missed by all who knew him.
Dear Helen,
I am sending my sincere sympathy at the loss of Jim.
May your many memories sustain you.
Linda Hyslop
I was very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I knew Jim through my work as a teacher-librarian and spent many Saturday mornings purchasing books for my school at National Book Service. When I served on the Manitoba School Library Association, part of my responsibility, along with the team, was to plan the annual SAG Conferences. For several years Jim generously donated a few hundred books for us to place in the conference “goodie bags”, a gift that was most appreciated, not only by us, but also by all of the recipients.
I will remember Jim as kind, generous and a true gentleman. He always spoke highly of his staff at NBS and cherished the times spent with Helen at the cottage.
My sincerest condolences to Helen and to Jim’s extended family.
Dear Helen
Sincere condolences in the loss of your husband.
It has been many years, but wishing you strength form family and friends.
Doreen Kerr
(former co-worker at MDS)
In my work at Manitoba’s Department of Education and Training,I knew Jim as the consummate professional representative of instructional media materials. We looked forward to meetings with him: always upbeat, organized and focused on “goodness of fit” of materials with the curriculum and the audience. Sincere condolences to Helen, whom I met; and to family and friends.
Barbara Kelly.
I am so very saddened to learn of Jim’s passing and wish to extend my deepest sympathies and sincerest condolences at this sad time. I have fond memories of Jim calling in with new titles of films, videos or children’s’ books when I was in River East School Division. Always a gentleman first class. May the sun forever shine upon his face and the wind always be at his back. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
I am most thankful to have known Jim, and to have shared many years working with him on Children’s literature related programs. Those of us who had the pleasure of working with Jim at the Canadian Images/Images Canadiennes events know how much he had to contribute to the world of Canadian Literature for children.
Bob Piper
Dear Helen, Bill and I have been missing you both here at Willard Lake. Wonderful that your cottage is still in good hands, therefore you could see how Bill and I would be reminded of you and Jim.
We were kept aware of Jim’s decline and knew you would be by Jim’s side every day.
You have been through a lot and now
your life is moving on, and still the long days will pass with speed. Reading Jim’s obit gave me more knowledge of him and your lives together. A pleasure to know. We want you to know Helen, that we have fun and fond memories of Jim and you as well. We send our condolences and wish you a blissful new path to walk.
Hugs from, jill and Bill Palmer
Dear Helen,
We were so lucky to have reconnected with our ” Winnipeg Cousins” during the six years that we spent living in Winnipeg. We really enjoyed our get togethers and Jim was always a very lively and knowledgeable participant. He was genuinely interested in everything. He will be greatly missed but always remembered. May you find comfort, Helen, in the memories of Jim and the very full life you had together.
Love,
Donna and Horst Abreder
Helen, I am so sad to hear that Jim’s life has ended. I will miss him. He was a good friend of mine and Sigrid’s too since the early 1970s. I remember fondly the conversations he and I had over our many lunch meetings over the years. His knowledge was broad and his communication was direct and clear, and we always found something to chuckle about too. I felt a little more enlightened about something after chatting with him every time. I can hear his voice saying, “Let’s make the best of a bad situation.” That was Jim. Sigrid and I and our kids send our condolences to you.
Our family was very sad to hear of Jim’s passing. In our time in Winnipeg after coming home from NZ, we greatly appreciated getting to know our cousins and their partners/ families. I really enjoyed Jim’s knowledge and curiosity. You were exceptionally welcoming. Special memories of winter family gatherings of the Searle’s and Robb’s. I know my parents, especially Chrissie and brother Bob , as well we’re very welcomed by you. You had a wonderful life as a couple. Those rich memories will be the foundation for comfort in your loss.