Obituary of James Oscar Kaufman

Kaufman, James Oscar - In his 89th year, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2012. Jim was the beloved husband of Elsie (nee Machel) for 63 years. Cherished father of Jim and his wife Maureen of Niagara-on- the-Lake, Jon and his wife Judy of Waterloo, Janice and her husband David Henshaw of Charlotte, North Carolina and Susan and her husband John Dickson of St. Catharines. Loving and caring Poppa to Jimmy, Kristian (Sheri), Jennifer (Alex), Kristin (Paul), Kaitlin (Ryan), Alexandra, Russell (Jackie), David and Ben. Beloved Great-Poppa to Carson, Victoria, Josh, Aaliyah, Kalayla, Evan and Kaia. Predeceased by his parents Oscar and Paula (nee Huras); Elsie's parents Amelia (nee Schroeder) and Gustav Machel; his sister-in-law Jean Kaufman, and his brothers-in-law Wilf Butler and Art Machel. Jim will be missed by his brothers Ken and his wife Elsie of Kitchener, Doug and his wife Lorry of Brampton, and sisters Catherine Butler of Toronto, Joan and her husband John Douglas of Stratford and Sandra Kaufman of Toronto. Jim will be fondly remembered by in-laws Norm and Bonnie Machel, Hilda and Bob Fisher of Kitchener and Heather Machel of Cambridge, and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and colleagues. Jim dedicated his life to the betterment of his family, church and community. He proudly served in the Royal Canadian Navy as Chief Petty Officer on H.M.C.S. Prince David during WWII and participated in D-Day. After the war, he worked as a tool and die maker in Kitchener. Jim enjoyed a successful career with Kenmore Construction, which he founded in 1955. He was a past president of the Niagara Home Builders' Association and a long standing member of Christ Lutheran Church. He received an honourary Doctorate of Laws degree from Brock University in 1997 in recognition of his dedication to the University, to Concordia Lutheran Seminary and to the Niagara community. Jim served on the boards of Lutherwood Village for Youth (Waterloo) and Luther Manor for Seniors. He enjoyed countless summer days on the shores of Red Bay, watching sunsets, fishing, golfing and sailing to his heart's content. Jim lived life to the fullest and will always be remembered by the many lives he touched with his kindness, generosity and sense of humour. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who cared for Jim over the years. Special thanks to Dr. Roger Rose for his tireless dedication and kindness, Levi Hearn, Sandra and staff at Sandra's Home Health Care, and to the staff of Royal Henley Retirement Residence and Pioneer Elder Care. Family will receive friends at the George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Cartlon Street on Tuesday October 16, 2012 between 2-4 and 7-9pm. Funeral Service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 140 Russell Avenue on Wednesday October 17, 2012 at 11am with burial to follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. In kindness, donations may be made in Jim's memory to Christ Lutheran Church, Concordia Lutheran Seminary or the Alzheimer's Society of Canada. Til we meet again