Obituary of James Wilkes

WILKES, James - The family would like to officially announce the passing of a caring and loving man, Jimmy Wilkes, at Hardy Terrace Long Term Nursing Home. Wilkes, James Eugene, October 1st, 1925 - August 11, 2008. Dearest son of the late Histron and Minnie Wilkes, of Pennsylvania. Dear father of Janice Burnam (Bill), of California, James, Patricia Hurling and Eugene, all of Pennsylvania, and daughter-in-law Geneva Wilkes, of Maryland, several grandchildren and many great-grandchildren living in the United States. Loving husband, best friend and companion to Donna. Caring father to his step-family Sharon Smith (Paul), Debra Fleet (Tony) and Shannon Fleet, all of Brantford, Joseph Fleet (Susan), of Edmonton and Clinton Fleet (Kelly) , of Ottawa. Dear friend of his former son-in-law Zorro Ristanovic, and daughter-in-law Nancy Fleet. He will also be fondly remembered by 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 3 godchildren, his brother-in-law Thomas Newton (Sharon), of Oregon and sister-in-law Nancy Dennison (Skip), of California. Admired by his in-laws the late Donald and Doris Newton, of California. Jim was a popular centre fielder for the Red Sox Baseball Club for 10 years, and umpire for the Inter County Baseball Association for 26 years, a retired employee of the City of Brantford, Works Department for 34.5 years, and was fondly known as "Yogi". He was a former delivery driver for Shopper's Drug Mart, West Brant, and a past member of Echo Lanes Seniors, Monday Bowling League. Besides bowling, he enjoyed watching the Toronto Blue Jays on T.V. and taking care of the local variety of birds around his home and to feed the chipmunks and squirrels who came up to him to be fed by hand. Jim will be sadly missed by family, friends and all who knew him. A tremendous thank you to nurses and staff at Hardy Terrace for their thoughtful caring ways and their friendship. Cremation has taken place. A Private Family Memorial Service will be held at the Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre. Donations to the Canadian Red Cross Society or the S.P.C.A. would be appreciated. A tree will be planted in memory of James in the Beckett-Glaves Memorial Forest.