James GROSSE

James (Jim) Grosse December 17, 1924 - August 26, 2008 With a smile on his face and a spring in his step Jim regularly walked through his Saskatoon neighborhood acknowledging everyone he met with a genuine, heartfelt hello. Jim appreciated his surroundings wherever he was and always found a little bit of heaven in special earthly places be it in his beloved prairies or on his travels. Jim peacefully slipped away with dignity following a short illness and a four-year struggle with Alzheimer’s; he now walks in paradise. Jim was born in Melville Saskatchewan to Anne and Jack Grosse and weighed in at less than a pound. Perhaps it was his small stature that made him so strong in spirit. At seventeen he served overseas on the front line as a wireless and rear gun operator during WWII with the First Canadian Armed Regiment. On his return to Canada he married his wife Agnes. Shortly after they moved to Saskatoon where Jim was proudly employed by the CNR as a painter until his retirement. His retirement years were spent enjoying hobbies; gardening, reading, photography, woodworking, sports watching, weekly coffee gatherings with the good old boys and helping out his friends and neighbors. He had a knack for teaching people what really matters in life and that love can be expressed in even the smallest of gestures. Most importantly he loved spending time with his family and his fun loving, good spirited nature would often make him the life of the party. He was loved and appreciated by all who knew him and his memory will be greatly cherished by his loving wife, Agnes (Gelowitz); his three daughters and sons in laws, Maureen/Barrie Reid, Donna/Rene Blanchard and Jaynee/Pete McIntyre; and his sisters, Ruth Chlan and Jean Young; and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. His six grand children, Geordy, Ryan/Katie Reid, Shallen Blanchard, Raegan/Ryan Moody, Scott and Jonathan McIntyre and great granddaughters Lexis Blanchard Moody and Sarah Climenhaga will lovingly remember him as the grandpa who was willing, eager and daring to do anything with them. To those whom Jim loved and has left behind he would tell them to dance as if no one were watching, sing as if no one were listening, and live every day as if it were their last. Toodle loo Jim. Don’t let the bed bugs bite. We love you. A memorial service for Jim will be held at a later date. Condolences to the family may be forwarded through www.parkfuneral.com. Arrangements entrusted to Derryl Hildebrandt of PARK FUNERAL CHAPEL, 244 2103.