James William Freeman (Jim)
James (Jim) Freeman passed away on April 18, 2020 in Kingston, ON. Predeceased by his wife, Florence (Smith) Freeman, son Archie, and sister Joan (Freeman) Porteous. Survived by partner Paulette Tremblay, daughter Carol (Bill), sons Brian and Gary, granddaughters Emily and Lucy, grandsons Brendon (Kate), Gregory (Courtney), Brad and great grandchildren Olivia, Fletcher, Felicity and Keith.
Jim was born in 1929 in Cornwall, ON, the first year of the Great Depression, an event that left an indelible impression upon him throughout his life. He was a Canadian Navy veteran prior to sailing the great lakes with Canada Steamship Lines, and a longtime local businessman. He was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
He was a founding member of the Cornwall Minor Hockey Association under Recreation Director Bob Turner in 1958-59, serving as President (1962-64), First- and Second-Vice President, and in one season alone was a CMHA Director, coach, referee, sponsor and volunteer. His enthusiasm was buoyed by the belief that every boy in Cornwall should have the opportunity to play hockey. In 1978 he was presented the George Esper Memorial Trophy as CMHA’s Person of the Year.
He went on to sponsor teams, and then entire leagues, including girl’s basketball, broomball, softball, bowling, lacrosse and floor hockey, at a time when some of those sports had no presence in Cornwall.
An entrepreneur at heart, he founded “Jamie’s Candies,” was owner/operator of “Freeman’s Amusement Rides” (purchased from Ron Sparling, Drummer and Manager of the ‘Family Brown’) and opened three retail locations between Cornwall and Helena, N.Y. (“Mansion Enterprises”) where he and his wife Florence sometimes resided.
Supportive of David Lewis’ NDP, Freeman ran for parliament in the Stormont-Dundas riding in the 30th federal general election in 1974, won by the Liberal’s Ed Lumley.
Soon after this, he opened his first retail business – simply known as “Freeman’s” – engraving trophies and screen-printing clothing. The store was a fixture in Cornwall’s downtown core for over four decades, and his front counter was a perch to “talk shop, with friends and enemies alike,” he’d often say.
To honour Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date with burial at Salem United Church in Summerstown, ON.
Jim was born in 1929 in Cornwall, ON, the first year of the Great Depression, an event that left an indelible impression upon him throughout his life. He was a Canadian Navy veteran prior to sailing the great lakes with Canada Steamship Lines, and a longtime local businessman. He was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
He was a founding member of the Cornwall Minor Hockey Association under Recreation Director Bob Turner in 1958-59, serving as President (1962-64), First- and Second-Vice President, and in one season alone was a CMHA Director, coach, referee, sponsor and volunteer. His enthusiasm was buoyed by the belief that every boy in Cornwall should have the opportunity to play hockey. In 1978 he was presented the George Esper Memorial Trophy as CMHA’s Person of the Year.
He went on to sponsor teams, and then entire leagues, including girl’s basketball, broomball, softball, bowling, lacrosse and floor hockey, at a time when some of those sports had no presence in Cornwall.
An entrepreneur at heart, he founded “Jamie’s Candies,” was owner/operator of “Freeman’s Amusement Rides” (purchased from Ron Sparling, Drummer and Manager of the ‘Family Brown’) and opened three retail locations between Cornwall and Helena, N.Y. (“Mansion Enterprises”) where he and his wife Florence sometimes resided.
Supportive of David Lewis’ NDP, Freeman ran for parliament in the Stormont-Dundas riding in the 30th federal general election in 1974, won by the Liberal’s Ed Lumley.
Soon after this, he opened his first retail business – simply known as “Freeman’s” – engraving trophies and screen-printing clothing. The store was a fixture in Cornwall’s downtown core for over four decades, and his front counter was a perch to “talk shop, with friends and enemies alike,” he’d often say.
To honour Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will take place at a later date with burial at Salem United Church in Summerstown, ON.