James Henry Tonks

TONKS, James Henry

It is with sadness that the family of James (Jim) Tonks announces his passing on April 3rd, 2021, at Fairvern Nursing Home, Huntsville, Ontario.

James was the eldest of 8 children to Albert and Annie (Brindley). He was born in Nottingham, England, on May 28th, 1924. After completing school at age 14, Jim worked as a coal miner and briefly apprenticed as a barber. The war years were spent in the Home Guard. In 1949 he married the love of his life, Joyce Spencer. They would have four children and 53 years together before her passing in 2002.

In 1957, searching for a better life, Jim and Joyce came to Canada. They settled first in Scarborough, then Pickering, Ontario. Jim found work on the TTC, driving first the streetcars and then the TTC, and Go Transit buses. The family spent summers camping and travelling around Ontario and Canada. They so loved their adopted home!

In 1982, having raised their children, they moved north to Huntsville, where, after driving for Grey Coach, Jim retired. He continued to keep busy with a hobby farm, raising chickens, and rabbits, fresh vegetables, and making beer and wine. He was also a volunteer driver for the cancer society. They square danced, round danced and travelled the country, making many new friends along the way. They moved into town in 1997, which allowed them to get more involved with Club 55, the condo association and continue to travel. His little dog Skipper was a constant companion on his many walks around town.

In 2004, James married Ida Brooks. Together they settled into their golden years, travelling to Alaska, England and France, and became regular Bridge and Euchre players at the Legion and Club 55.

Jim loved life, family, nature, reading, reciting poetry, Hockey Night in Canada, the Blue Jays, and Rum and raisin ice cream.

Left behind to remember and mourn him are his wife, Ida, sister Freda (England), brother John (Pat) (England), his children: David (Cathy), Gary (Sheila), Janet (Tim), and Marian (Mike), his Grandchildren: Jeff (Rhonda), Ben (Reagan), Kristine (Rob), Joanna, Shelley (Matt), Derek (Julia), Kira, and Zoe (Tom), and his Great-grandchildren: Connor, Charlotte, Stella, Zachary, Emilia, and Olivia.

Cremation has taken place. Service/celebration of his life to take place on Saturday,  August 21, 2021, 1:00 pm at Billingsley Funeral Home. Internment following at Hutchison Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial gifts to Fairvern Nursing Home or the Canadian Cancer Society.