James Joseph WHITLEY

James Joseph Whitley After a courageous battle with cancer, James Joseph Whitley of Spencerville passed away at Brockville General Hospital with his family by his side on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005. He was born at home in Augusta Township on March 23, 1930 to Charles Whitley and the former Hazel Baker. He married Greta Read on June 27, 1959 at North Gower Anglican Church. They lived on the family farm at Roebuck for 46 years. Jim attended Roebuck Public School. In the early 1950s, he went to work at DuPont in Maitland and worked there for seventeen years but realized that his real love in life was farming. He returned to the farm in 1972 and from then on farming was his life. His livelihood was mainly milking cows until 1996. For many years he travelled with his cattle trailer over the countryside buying and selling cattle until poor health forced him to stop at the beginning of 2005. As well, he sold corn and grass seed to farmers. He also exhibited cattle at the local fairs in the 1990s and received many awards and ribbons. Jim was a lifelong member of the Nation Masonic Lodge. He was a quiet humble man who enjoyed baseball, hockey, country music and spending time with his family which included three precious grandchildren whom he was very proud and fond of. He is survived by his wife Greta; sons Wayne (Amy) and Lee (Candace) both of Roebuck and grandchildren Kennedy, Lynden and Campbell. He will be sadly missed by sisters Ruth Leeder of Brockville, Anne Moore (Earl) of Johnstown and close cousin Joyce Froom (Walter) of Prescott. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sister Kathryn Kingston and his parents. Visitation was held at Grant Brown Funeral Home Purcell Chapel, Spencerville on Friday, Aug. 19. Funeral service was held at Roebuck United Church on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 2 pm officiated by Reverend Helen Wilson. Joan Gibson was the organist for the service. A beautiful and heartfelt eulogy was delivered by his son, Lee. Pallbearers were John Conklin, John Hunter, Carl Christie, Clifford Young, Ron Ralph and Kevin Eaton. Honourary pallbearers were Doug and Don Rivington, Garnet Ralph, Allan Kelso and David Christie. Interment followed at Maynard Cemetery. Memorial donations to Hospice of Providence Palliative Care, Access Centre for Community Care, Roebuck United Church or the Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.