WALMSLEY, James Creeggan
Picton to Dr. Howard Walmsley and Marian Creeggan Walmsley. Jim was a caring husband to his loving wife, Jeanette Staples Walmsley for 64 years. He was a devoted father to his children, Tim (Susan), Evan, and Michael (Annie) and a loving grandfather to Alex, Florencia and Kai. Jim was a very connected brother to his family, Kathleen (Peter deceased), Tom deceased (Geralyn) and Elizabeth (Arnold) and all of his nieces and nephews. Jim graduated from Peterborough Teacher’s College in 1956. He met Jeanette Staples, his future wife, as her basketball coach. He taught at Lord Strathcona, Rideau and Calvin Park before graduating from Queen’s University. Then he taught mathematics at K.C.V.I., Frontenac and then again at K.C.V.I. He enjoyed coaching basketball at those two schools. Jim was a firm but fair and formal teacher of yesteryear, admired by his students. Jim spent significant time in his formative years in Algonquin Park and Camp Ahmek as a camper, counselor and canoe trip guide. In later years, Jim and family returned many summers to Algonquin Park to teach canoeing for the Ontario Safety League. Jim was a member of St. George’s Choir under George Maybee which included a trip to England to sing in York Minster, Cambridge and St. Paul’s Cathedrals. For many years, Jim continued singing with many of those choirmates as they formed their singing group, Maybee’s Men. Later, Jim was happy to sing with Kingston Senior Choristers and the Kingston Capital Men’s Choir. Family was very important to Jim. He attended many of his children’s sporting events. The family camped across Canada to Vancouver Island twice. March breaks in Myrtle Beach with friends, tennis, golfing and seafood were special. He enjoyed long visits with children and grandchildren in Chile, Victoria and Oregon. The family gathered every summer at the cottage on Salmon Point in Prince Edward County. He enjoyed golf with Jeanette and his friends at the Picton Golf Club. The family was so very happy to all be together during Jim’s final weeks. He was an honourable example to his family and is much loved and respected. Jim was a kind, caring person for friends and family. He will be missed. A celebration of life will occur at a later date and be announced.