James "Jamie" Keith Belfry

James Keith Belfry

September 16, 1939 – March 6, 2023

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of James (“Jamie”) Keith Belfry, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather on March 6, 2023, at the age of 83.

Jamie leaves behind his best friend and loving wife of 59 years, Sharon (Houghan) Belfry, along with his loving children, Deane (Kelley-Anne), Lynette (Pascal), Laurene (Jason), and Scott (Rebecca).  He adored his 12 grandchildren: Brendan (Alana), Ryan (Tamara), Courtney, Benjamin (Sarah), Kaitlyn, Zachary, Emma, Abigail, Brianna, Adjanie, Beckham, and Jacob, in addition to his two great-grandchildren: Rory and Colby McNalley. He will be fondly remembered by his younger sister Elizabeth (“Betty”), and his sister-and brother-in-law, Lorraine (Houghan) and Paul Lane, and his many colleagues and friends.  Jamie is pre-deceased by his parents, Keith and Helen (Lowes) Belfry and eldest daughter, Nadine (Belfry) McNalley.

Jamie was born in Toronto, Ontario on September 16, 1939, and where he would spend his formative years.  Following graduation from high school to early retirement, Jamie had an extremely successful and long career in consumer-packaged good sales, first for Heinz and later for Lipton’s.  He moved to Scarborough when he married Sharon and together, they raised their five children.  In 1989, they moved to the Town of Uxbridge, where they resided for more than 20 years.  Upon retirement, they settled on the shore of Fairy Lake in Huntsville and, until a few years ago, spent their winters together in Florida, always happy to welcome family and friends.

During the summers he enjoyed time at the cottage and loved spending time with his children on the water – skiing, swimming, boating and especially fishing with his two sons.

Jamie was very involved in the church throughout his life, starting with Youth for Christ and continuing to Churchill Heights (Scarborough), Uxbridge Baptist (Uxbridge) and, finally, Riverside Baptist (Huntsville).  While in Uxbridge, Jamie engaged extensively with mission work, which included three trips to Ghana, West Africa.  When able, Jamie taught at Daily Vacation Bible School.  His faith in God was very strong and helped him overcome his health challenges in recent years.

Jamie loved sports; he played and coached for many years, both hockey and baseball, and even enjoyed playing golf in his later years.  In addition to playing and coaching sports, Jamie was a lifelong Toronto Maple Leaf’s fan and had hoped that in his lifetime he would see them win another cup – maybe this year!  He was always found listening to games on the radio or watching it on television, right up to the very end.

Jamie will be remembered as a discerning connoisseur, from his standard fare of hamburgers at Swiss Chalet, fish and chips anywhere and any time, only spaghetti and meatballs at East Side Mario’s and ketchup on everything, even on Eggs Benedict!

Above all else, the best thing about Jamie was his kind, compassionate, warm, funny, and loving character.  His mischievous smile and the bright twinkle in his eye will be greatly missed.

A funeral service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at Riverside Baptist Church in Huntsville.  Reception to follow.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be sent to either The Gideons International: https://www.gideons.org, to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation: https://huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca/ways-to-give/ or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/.