LEE, James 2008-08-27 It is with incredible sadness that the family of James (Jim) Franklin Lee announce his passing on Monday, August 25, 2008 with family members at his side. Jim was born in Dafoe, Saskatchewan on October 11, 1931 and moved with his family to then Port Arthur in 1948 where he attended Port Arthur Technical & Commercial High School (now Hillcrest) graduating with honors from the Technical Program. He then attended Provincial Trades Institute graduating as a Class A Automobile Mechanic. Jim worked for 15 years or so at Red River Service and later for Port Arthur, Lakehead and Hillport Motors. He also had a stint at Avis Rent-A-Car. In 1971 he joined Thunder Bay Hydro as Stores Keeper where he worked until his retirement in 1994. Since then he has helped out at various times at Northern Turf and did independent lawn mower and bicycle repairs for friends and relatives. Jimmy was married to his wife Ruth in 1968 and they had a very happy marriage for 40 years, all of which were filled to overflowing with love, respect and dignity for each other. Saying goodbye was so difficult. Jim was an avid 5 pin bowler for many years, even rolling a Perfect Game in 1965. For many years he represented Port Arthur/ Thunder Bay on various Western Canada or Northwestern Ontario and Northern Ontario teams. In 1975 he coached his Mixed Team to the Gold Medal in the World‘s 5 Pin Bowling Championships in Calgary and was rewarded to have himself and his team inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 1982. In his prime, Jim was also a pretty good golfer and he talked fondly of the good times and many football injuries he collected during his old Port Arthur Mustang days. Jim was also a wonderful dancer and for many years he and Ruthie enjoyed dancing together at various social functions. It was said by many that Jim had an infectious sense of humour and could light up a room simply by the sound of his laughter. He tried always to be a happy person and kept his humour for all of his days. Jim loved to garden growing all sorts of fruits and veggies in his large gardens, sharing the spoils with many friends and relatives. His flower gardens were a delight to the eyes and produced many bouquets to decorate our home. Jim was a gentle man loving all of God‘s creatures but especially "pussy cats", owning many over the years, caring for hurt, lost or stray animals and providing food and shelter when necessary. His animals will miss him a lot whether it be cats, squirrels, birds, etc. Jimmy had a healthy respect for women in general, always mindful of the many ways in which they help and support everyone in their many roles in our modern society. Jim is survived by his wife Ruth; sister Kathleen Lee and since the Ball family accepted him as one of their own, he is also survived by his brothers and sisters in law Rose Vogel of Brooks, Alberta, Millie Ball, Dick (Holly) Ball, Alice (Jack) Price of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ted (Lorraine) Ball, Lucille (Michael) Sprague, Joan (Bruce) Gale-Ewen and Grant (Audrey) Ball of Calgary, Alberta. Many nieces and nephews in Thunder Bay, Eastern Ontario and British Columbia also survive. Jimmy was predeceased by his parents James and Mary Elizabeth Lee, his sister Joan Cochran, his parents in law Jim and Anne Ball, brothers in law Earl Gale and Robert J. Ball and nephew David Ball. Funeral services for the late Mr. James Ball will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 2:00 PM in the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley St. at Algoma with Rev. Hugh McDonald officiating. Private family interment to take place at a later date in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to service time. Should friends and family so desire, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of choice would be appreciated. Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com