James Archibald was born in Walkerton on Friday, February 7, 1941 to Bill and Mary (Parker) Cottrill. Jim was the oldest of five children and was soon joined by younger siblings Charlie, Bob, Anne and Joy. The Cottrill family mixed farmed on County Road 1, in Greenock Township, just west of Paisley. Jim attended elementary school in Paisley followed by Walkerton District Secondary School. It was during this time that Jim was encouraged by his mother’s cousin, Jim Parker, to pursue further education, a decision he was forever grateful for.
Jim began trade school in Toronto in 1961 where he earned qualifications as a steamfitter. He applied his trade for the next 44 years, working for Ontario Hydro starting at the old Douglas Point and finishing his career at the Bruce Nuclear Power Development, retiring in 2006. Jim was a proud member of the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 527 for more than 50 years.
In 1968, while working at Lakeview Generation Station in Toronto, Jim met Mary Margaret MacDonald on a night out in the city. The couple enjoyed a night of roller skating at “The Terrace” and as they say the rest is history. Mary, a Cape Bretoner, married Jim on August 7, 1970 in Toronto. Over the next 47 years the couple worked together and raised their family. In time they welcomed three sons, John in 1974, Michael in 1976 and Jamie in 1984. Jim quietly rejoiced in the accomplishments of his wife, children and grandchildren.
Soon after their marriage, the young couple purchased a 20 acre parcel of land across the road from the Cottrill family farm. Over the next two years Jim built their family home with his own two hands. Their picturesque property backed onto the banks of the Teeswater River. Together, he and Mary enjoyed their beautiful property on the outskirts of Paisley until his final days.
In his spare time Jim could often be found attending auction sales with his brothers or any one of a number of his “sidekicks” who enjoyed his sense of humour, his keen eye for the rare and unusual, and his appreciation for a bargain. Jim was a life-long collector of a wide range of objects, including dishes, furniture, farm tools and machinery. Jim had a great appreciation and memory of local history. This passion led to his involvement with The Bruce County Heritage Association over the years. He was also the longtime caretaker of Starkvale Cemetery. Jim and Mary liked to travel and some of their most memorable trips included their time in the British Isles, their trip out West in 2010 and their countless trips to Cape Breton Island to visit Mary’s family. In recent years, Jim loved to take in the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band Parade on Saturday evening during the months of July and August. Not only did he enjoy the Scottish music, it also was an opportunity for Jim to reconnect with friends and co-workers.
To know Jim was to understand his appreciation of YouTube, yes you read that right, and the many old comedian skits he enjoyed watching. He appreciated many different forms of music, including any music from the East Coast, Ireland and of course, Scotland. Jim also had a soft spot for any food that contained raisins, particularly raisin pie and butter tarts, with raisin. Who could forget Jim’s famous pocket book! He carried it with him everywhere and it contained countless phone numbers, daily tasks and lists that kept Jim’s day full, day in, day out.
Even in his later years, Jim’s work ethic was not easily matched. He generously helped his family, friends and neighbours with countless tasks. Without fail, he could be counted on to have “the right tool,” parts or pieces to fix any problem. Jim’s humble and generous nature will be missed by all that knew him.
Sadly, Jim passed away following a brief, yet valiant battle with cancer on Saturday, January 20, 2018 in his 77th year.
Beloved husband of Mary Margaret (MacDonald). Father of John, his wife Charlene, and their children Paisley, Grant and McKenna of Strathroy; Michael, his wife Johanna and their children Wesley and Isabel of Guelph; and Jamie, his wife Paige and their son Windsor of Battleford, Saskatchewan. Jim is also survived by his brothers Charlie (Bette) and Bob (Mary) of Paisley, his sisters Anne (Fred Erickson) and Joy (the late Barry Nodwell) of Port Elgin; his brothers-in-law Roddy MacDonald (Laureen), Buddy MacDonald (Margaret) and sisters-in-law Elizabeth (Roland Chiasson), Beatrice MacDonald (the late Joseph) and Shirley MacDonald (the late Duncan). Jim was predeceased by his parents Bill and Mary (Parker) Cottrill.
A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law and friend has left us, but will always remain in our memories.
At Jim’s request, there will be no visitation or service and cremation has taken place. A private graveside service will be held at Starkvale Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life for family and friends, later in 2018.
Memorial donations to The Bruce County Heritage Association would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
My sincere sympathy to Jim’s family.
Sending our sympathies to all of Jim’s family. It was a pleasure to know Jim and talk with him at work. He will be missed.
So sorry for your loss Jamie…my sincere condolences to you and your family…thinking of you and your family during this difficult time..
Thinking of you at this difficult time.
I am saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. I always looked forward to seeing and chatting with him at music and heritage events. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. I always looked forward to seeing and chatting with him at music and heritage events. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. I always looked forward to seeing and chatting with him at music and heritage events. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. I always looked forward to seeing and chatting with him at music and heritage events. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cottrill family, I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a great friend and neighbour to my mom and her husband (Anne-Marie and Eugene). My sister and I have had the pleasure of meeting him on more than one occasion during our visits to Paisley while he helped us with various jobs around their home. He was an amazing story teller and tower of strength. He will be missed. We will never forget everything he has done for us. Rest in Peace, Jim.
To Mary and Cottrill family: With sadness, we express our sympathy to you as you mourn the loss of this gentle man, Jim. However, it is with joy that we can say we knew him, and his smile. He will be missed in the Community!
Mary and Family – Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy for the passing of Jim. Our thoughts are with you all.
Jim was a fine man, it would be hard to find a more friendly and or kinder person. My condolences to his family.
Mary and family, we were saddened to read of Jim’s passing. I first met “The Preacher” or some would call Jim “The Minister” at B01 Douglas Point. Folks called Jim that as he told me one day on picture day he wore a black shirt and what looked like a Minister’s collar. That picture along with many others, hung on the front entrance of Douglas Point – he was right proud of that picture I might add. Jim always had a smile, a story or a joke to tell rather it be at Auctions the Steam Show or at the Pipe Band. Rest in Peace now my friend. And to those of us left behind, May all your wonderful memories wrap around you all at this difficult time and bring a smile to your face when reminiscing of Jim as it did mine today. God’s Grace
Mary and family, we were saddened to read of Jim’s passing. I first met “The Preacher” or some would call Jim “The Minister” at B01 Douglas Point. Folks called Jim that as he told me one day on picture day he wore a black shirt and what looked like a Minister’s collar. That picture along with many others, hung on the front entrance of Douglas Point – he was right proud of that picture I might add. Jim always had a smile, a story or a joke to tell rather it be at Auctions the Steam Show or at the Pipe Band. Rest in Peace now my friend. And to those of us left behind, May all your wonderful memories wrap around you all at this difficult time and bring a smile to your face when reminiscing of Jim as it did mine today. God’s Grace
In my playing days my band-mates would say “you better do a good job because Jimmy is in the audience!” He always offered feedback from the perspective of how Scottish music should be…….a man who understood the true meaning of what a culture is.
An influence that made a lot of good people strive to be better……..Thanks Jim, that was a lot of fun….Joe
Sincere condolences to all of Jim’s family. Jim was one of the best. Will always think of him when at the Paisley Fair. Rest In Peace.
Sorry to hear of the loss Jim.
I had the privlidge of working with Jim and many other fine trades people on many constuction projects at the Bruce site.
Mary and family
Sincere condolences to you at this difficult time. I am so glad Rae and I were able to have some good visits with Jim as we travelled back and forth to Owen Sound. He always had a smile and a story for Rae. It helped to lighten our load. May you find comfort in your many memories.
Sincerely
Betty
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Cottrill family at this time. You have our sincere sympathy. Many fond memories of the past.
Dear Cottrill family, we are saddened to hear of Jims passing. Our condolences to you.
Mary and Family
I am very sad to hear of Jim’s passing. I had the honor of working with Jim for many years at the Bruce site. Jim was an excellent tradesman and a delight to work with.Always a smile and cheerful greetings when we met. Jim will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. RIP my friend.
Ken King
Kincardine
Our condolences to the family on the passing of Jim. I worked with Jim for many years at the Bruce. Jim was a very likeable and knowledgable person. I learned many things from Jim and enjoyed his stories and sense of humour. May he rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to all the family.
Jim was one of my favourite “customers” in the WCA at work.A great guy and always good for a laugh .
Our deepest sympathy to you on your loss of Jim. He was a great man. Treasure the good memories to carry you through the days ahead. Thinking of you at this at this time.
Mary so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing I will remember him and the stories he used to tell, very sorry for your loss
To Jim’s family: I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to all of you at this difficult time.
Dear Mary and family, sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I worked along side Jim for 2 years as an apprentice. Jim was a good friend, a great Co-worker and an excellent Tradesman. I am a better person because of having met Jim and for that I am grateful.
so sorry to hear of your loss Jim was a great person to work with and will always be remembered as a true friend
Dear Mary:
My condolences to you and your family, Jim was a great Man and my first Foreman in the working trade, very sad and Jim will be missed.
Mary and family sorry for you r loss .jim was like a book of knowledge when we were at the auctions .
Deepest sympathy to you and your family Mary on your loss
Our sympathies. Thinking of you at this difficult time.Jim has been a part of our lives for a long time. He will be sadly missed.
Dear Mary and family,
Our sincere sympathy to you on the passing of Jim. May your wonderful memories help you through this time.
Sincerely, Sherry & Roger and Tiff Caldwell
Dear Mary and family,
Our sincere sympathy to you on the passing of Jim. May your wonderful memories help you through this time.
Sincerely, Sherry & Roger and Tiff Caldwell
So sad to hear of Jim’s passing, he was a great guy and a real story teller. Our deepest sympathy to Mary and her family. He will be missed.
Mary and family:
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Sincere sympathy to you all at this very difficult time.
We are sorry for your loss. Jim, was such a great person, he will live in our memories forever. Our heartfelt condolences.
Darlene, Ron & Janalee Wilkins
Mary and family, sorry to hear of Jim’s passing, we are thinking of you. Ron and Vickie
So very sorry to hear of the loss of Jim. I will miss having chats with Jim at the cemetery. Sincere condolences from John Hemstock Walkerton/Starksvale Cemetary Caretaker
We were saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. Sincerest sympathy to you and your family at this difficult time.
Mary and family, I’m thinking of you and send my sincere sympathy on Jim’s passing. He will certainly be missed.
Mary and Family: May the comfort of family and friends give you strength for the days to come.
Please know that our sympathy and warm thoughts are with you now.
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Larry & Betty Bender
Mary and family our thoughts are with you. Jim and his nice smile will be missed by all.
So sorry to hear of your loss Mary. Thinking of you at this difficult time.