James Scott was born Tuesday, September 27, 1949 in Etobicoke to Rhoda Edna (Patterson) and Baden Percy Marshall. Jim’s father was born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire County, District of Glanford Bigg, England in 1900 and his mother was born in Toronto in 1911. Already before Jim’s birth the Marshall family had experienced death, as his brother Robert Frederick had died at the age of one year and ten months, of meningitis.
Baden was the eldest son, followed by sister Edna, brother Thomas (Tom) and sister Edie. By the time James arrived there was an eighteen year difference between him and Baden. Jim attended St. Vincent Massie Primary School in Etobicoke and then New Toronto Secondary School. Given that his father and brother were mechanics, it made sense that Jim followed in their footsteps. Jim first started out in the all-male office, at Canada Cartage, at the corner of Wellesley and Yonge. Once he completed his mechanic licensing he started a long career of working mainly on large trucks.
At the age of 15 and while attending youth group at the local Salvation Army Long Branch Corps (on 30th Street), Jim met a young woman by the name of Joan Margaret Henderson. In time, the two also played in the church band together. On September 19, 1970 the young couple tied the knot at the same church, with Jim’s brother Baden presiding. They soon moved into their own apartment before purchasing his family home from his parents, in the Long Branch area of Etobicoke. The couple welcomed Scott in 1971 and Joy in 1975. In 1988, Jim and Joan moved to the Meaford area where Jim spent time working at Breadners and then Echo Transport. It was also here that they purchased a small hobby farm and started doing bodywork and painting cars. Jim loved all the animals, or should we say “his pets,” and was known to name every single one of them. The couple moved to Owen Sound in 1997. It was here that the Marshalls began opening their home to help other children, more specifically teenage girls, as Foster parents. Imagine raising four teenage girls at the same time. This was a common occurrence in the Marshall home. At this time, Jim also worked for MEI and then later for Albrights. He will be dearly missed for his mechanical aptitude and teaching ability.
Sadly, due to ill health Jim was forced to retire in 2011 after having experienced several heart attacks. In 2015, Jim and Joan made their final move to Paisley. In his free time Jim enjoyed building model trucks, watching his beloved Maple Leafs. Being a real homebody there were very few places Jim enjoyed more than the comfort of his own property. He was not a picky eater but he did love liver and onions as well as spaghetti. If you were ever to fetch a drink for Jim, I hope you didn’t forget the ice cubes. If you did, there was a good chance you were sent back to retrieve them. Jim also had a fondness for 60’s country music and Barbra Streisand to name a few.
Aside from the love of his life and his children, Jim had a big heart for animals, particularly dogs. At the time of his passing, Joan and Jim were enjoying their 15th dog. His favourite breed was, hands down, St. Bernard’s as they enjoyed four of them over the years. Jim had a big presence, loud voice and always had people laughing. Some of his most common and favourite words used included, “candy ass,” “wooden heads,” “*&%hole,” and “Don’t let common sense and fear hold you back.” To those that knew him well, it was easy to see that no matter Jim’s outward appearance, Jim always had a soft heart.
Sadly, in recent years it was his heart that limited him. In fact, he rarely left home unless it was for a doctor’s appointment. In the last few months, Jim was diagnosed with Cancer. It was then that he decided to live out his remaining days on his own terms and that he did. He passed away at home on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at the age of 68.
Beloved husband of Joan. Loving father of Scott of Paisley and Joy and her husband Clark Haw of Flesherton. He will live on in the hearts and minds of his grandsons Marshall and Matthew Haw. Jim will be fondly remembered by his sister-in-law June Marshall of Newmarket and brother-in-law Dave Dawe of Newfoundland. He was predeceased by his brothers Baden, Tom, sisters Edna Dawe, Edie Callegari and his parents Baden and Rhoda (Patterson) Marshall.
In respecting Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no further services.
Memorial donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
