MCGINTY, James
Posted: May 29th, 2020
McGINTY
JAMES McGINTY, beloved husband of Catherine McGinty of Lethbridge, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at the age of 92 years.
Besides his loving wife, Jim is survived by his niece, Katrina Whittingham of Scotland, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews in Canada, Australia, Spain, England and Scotland.
He was predeceased by his parents, John & Catherine McGinty, and his siblings, John, Edward and May.
James—known to most as ‘Jim,’ but also as ‘Jimmy’ to his Scottish family—was born in Glasgow in 1928. From Irish ancestry, his parents had moved to Scotland in search of a better life. One of four children, his childhood was saddened by the death of his mother when he was only six years old and his father when he was 14 years old. World War II led to him living away from his family as an evacuee in rural Scotland.
He trained as a butcher and was later drafted into military conscription where he became a chef. Church life was important to Jim from an early age, and it was at a church dance that he met his one true love, Catherine “Cathie” Tracey.
Their courtship was cemented in marriage on February 15, 1954. They began their married life in the small family flat Jim had shared with his brother. Both of their extended families lived close by. Jim & Cathie progressed at their jobs in Glasgow while still enjoying family time and their social lives with friends.
In 1964, they made the decision to immigrate to Canada and settle in Lethbridge, Alberta. Jim grew to love all aspects of Canadian life and flourished in his new lifestyle. Church and the practice of his faith remained central in his life, becoming a Knight of St. Columbus and taking part in a variety of volunteering roles in St. Pat’s and the Assumption Church. He enjoyed travel throughout Canada and the United States, holidaying in Hawaii as a particular favourite destination. In his early impoverished beginnings in the eastside of Glasgow, no one could have predicted this would be his life in his 50s and 60s.
However, he developed a variety of health concerns in his 50s. He recovered, but long-term consequences of his heart disease led to early retirement for him in the mid-1980s. Thereafter he began to extend his church volunteering ministries, which became almost a full-time job. He continued to enjoy holidays back to his homeland as well as church-organized trips across the world. He loved all sports and was an avid supporter of the Calgary Flames. When following national team sports, he would divide his loyalty between Scotland and Canada.
Up until last year, he continued to enjoy living with his ever-loving wife, Cathie, in their family home. He carried on each day with a sense of purpose in his church-related duties. Cathie endured ill health over the last ten years or so; in recent years, he became her dutiful caregiver. Last year, a further health setback led to Cathie moving into Edith Cavell Care Centre, and Jim into Martha’s House. Through all of that, he continued to be a completely devoted husband right until the very end of his life.
As he grew older, it became apparent how many lives he had touched in Lethbridge. He was simply very well-known and loved by all who knew him. He was quiet, patient and kind, with a very quick wit. If you knew him, it is likely his presence in your life that warmed your heart and brought a smile to your face. Let that legacy of him live on in you.
A
Private Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 St. S, Lethbridge, AB on
Monday, June 1, 2020 at 7:00 PM with Francis & Cybele Noronha officiating.
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Private Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12 Ave. S, Lethbridge, AB on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 10:00 AM with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.
For those who wish to watch the service online, the Prayer Service and Funeral Mass may be viewed at their respective service times by Live Stream under Jim’s obituary on our website.
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com
McGINTY
JAMES McGINTY, beloved husband of Catherine McGinty of Lethbridge, passed away at Chinook Regional Hospital on Sunday, May 24, 2020 at the age of 92 years.
Besides his loving wife, Jim is survived by his niece, Katrina Whittingham of Scotland, as well as numerous other nieces and nephews in Canada, Australia, Spain, England and Scotland.
He was predeceased by his parents, John & Catherine McGinty, and his siblings, John, Edward and May.
James—known to most as ‘Jim,’ but also as ‘Jimmy’ to his Scottish family—was born in Glasgow in 1928. From Irish ancestry, his parents had moved to Scotland in search of a better life. One of four children, his childhood was saddened by the death of his mother when he was only six years old and his father when he was 14 years old. World War II led to him living away from his family as an evacuee in rural Scotland.
He trained as a butcher and was later drafted into military conscription where he became a chef. Church life was important to Jim from an early age, and it was at a church dance that he met his one true love, Catherine “Cathie” Tracey.
Their courtship was cemented in marriage on February 15, 1954. They began their married life in the small family flat Jim had shared with his brother. Both of their extended families lived close by. Jim & Cathie progressed at their jobs in Glasgow while still enjoying family time and their social lives with friends.
In 1964, they made the decision to immigrate to Canada and settle in Lethbridge, Alberta. Jim grew to love all aspects of Canadian life and flourished in his new lifestyle. Church and the practice of his faith remained central in his life, becoming a Knight of St. Columbus and taking part in a variety of volunteering roles in St. Pat’s and the Assumption Church. He enjoyed travel throughout Canada and the United States, holidaying in Hawaii as a particular favourite destination. In his early impoverished beginnings in the eastside of Glasgow, no one could have predicted this would be his life in his 50s and 60s.
However, he developed a variety of health concerns in his 50s. He recovered, but long-term consequences of his heart disease led to early retirement for him in the mid-1980s. Thereafter he began to extend his church volunteering ministries, which became almost a full-time job. He continued to enjoy holidays back to his homeland as well as church-organized trips across the world. He loved all sports and was an avid supporter of the Calgary Flames. When following national team sports, he would divide his loyalty between Scotland and Canada.
Up until last year, he continued to enjoy living with his ever-loving wife, Cathie, in their family home. He carried on each day with a sense of purpose in his church-related duties. Cathie endured ill health over the last ten years or so; in recent years, he became her dutiful caregiver. Last year, a further health setback led to Cathie moving into Edith Cavell Care Centre, and Jim into Martha’s House. Through all of that, he continued to be a completely devoted husband right until the very end of his life.
As he grew older, it became apparent how many lives he had touched in Lethbridge. He was simply very well-known and loved by all who knew him. He was quiet, patient and kind, with a very quick wit. If you knew him, it is likely his presence in your life that warmed your heart and brought a smile to your face. Let that legacy of him live on in you.
A Private Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 St. S, Lethbridge, AB on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 7:00 PM with Francis & Cybele Noronha officiating.
A Private Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405 – 12 Ave. S, Lethbridge, AB on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 10:00 AM with Father Kevin Tumback celebrating.
For those who wish to watch the service online, the Prayer Service and Funeral Mass may be viewed at their respective service times by Live Stream under Jim’s obituary on our website.
To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com