William James Richard Whitford
December 10, 1929 – July 17, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the children of James Whitford announce the death of their father. James (Jim) was the only child of the late Sydney Whitford (Cornwall, Great Britain) and the late Margaret Fleming (Grafton, North Dakota, United States of America). His four children survive him: Sandra (late Graham Ball), Murray, Tanya (Brian McGuire) and Daniel (Melissa Murdoch), also, his granddaughter Erin Ball (Benjamin Bizzarri) and his great-grandchildren Scarlet and Augustus Bizzarri. He has become the angel of his beloved Marie-Andrée Charlebois.
Born in a small farming community during the Great Depression and wishing to escape poverty, Jim left his native Alberta at the age of 20 to study at the Mexico City College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1954. He then obtained a Master’s Degree in anthropology from the University of Toronto. He began his professional journey in the Arctic Circle and the Northern Regions of Canada working with the Inuit and Native Communities. He continued his career within three provincial governments and the Government of Canada.
Upon retirement, Jim returned to farming. He was deeply connected to his land in the Pontiac. He loved nature, hockey, opera, Mexico, good food and Argentine tango.
The family wishes to express gratitude to the personnel of the Centre Valentin (Campbell’s Bay) and the Hôpital du Pontiac (Shawville) for the caring and thoughtful care provided to James.
A private commemoration will take place later.