James Alfred Holding

April 17, 2023
In Loving Memory (1932-2023) ~
Dear Jim passed away peacefully on the afternoon of April 17, 2023, with his family by his side.
He was a forthright person. Truth and honesty were his motto in life. His amazing sense of humour charmed and delighted his family and friends and even strangers. Paul (Ann) his younger brother was very important to Jim. Although they were family, they were true friends.
After graduating from Humberside Collegiate, he then enrolled at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) in the School of Business. At this time, he became a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity where he made many lifelong friends. Jim graduated in the class of 1957 with an Honours Business Degree.
Upon graduation, Jim and Mary (nee Winship) were married, and Jim's career commenced in the oil industry. He joined British American Oil (BA) in 1957 and Toronto became home with the births of David and Sarah (Brian) making our family complete.
Jim's next stop with BA in 1962 was Calgary. In 1966 Gulf Oil USA transferred Jim and the family to Houston Texas, then in 1967 - 1970 to Seoul Korea, and then in 1970 -1972 to Tokyo Japan. Each new appointment meant many new business challenges and each one he loved.
Gulf Oil Canada brought Jim and the family back to Toronto in the middle of 1972. After settling in Oakville, Ontario the children completed their high school, and both attended UWO to complete their education and begin their careers.
Petro Canada being the new corporation meant that there was one more transfer for Jim and Mary to Calgary. While in Calgary, Jim had the honour to be one of the many support runners for the 1988 Canadian Olympic Torch.
He retired in 1988 and Jim and Mary settled on Vancouver Island where they enjoyed West Coast Life - golfing, friends, and many travels. Jim loved and embraced life, good food, fine wine, his pets and animals, his family, jazz (Go Satchmo!) and especially sports (Go Bills! Go Jays!)
In lieu of flowers a donation (if you wish) to your local SPCA or your local Food Bank or to a charity of your choice.
The service for Jim will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 11 a.m. The location of the service and reception will be held at Sands Funeral Chapel in Nanaimo.