A cherished son, brother, friend, husband, pastor, father, and grandpa, passed away peacefully at Royal Jubilee Hospital on April 18, 2012 after suffering a devastating and unforeseen cardiac arrest one week prior. He was surrounded by family and there was a sense of love and peace in the room as he took his final breaths and went to meet his Maker. Born March 25, 1950 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Jim grew up in Portage La Prairie, Winnipeg, and Carberry, Manitoba. The third of six children, at the age of 11, he lost sister, Valerie and parents, Gordon Barss and Beatrice Barss (nee Pierce) in a tragic car accident involving almost the entire family. In 1976, he and his sisters were deeply saddened by the premature death of their much loved brother, Chuck Barss. Jim married the love of his life, Patricia Stokke, in 1972 and the two would have celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary on April 29, 2012. He loved talking with family and friends, going for coffee, watching sports, doing crosswords, playing scrabble, baking, singing and listening to music, devouring sweets, walking Butchart Gardens, helping people through tough times, and bragging about his family. Jim’s greatest joy in his final years was the birth of his granddaughters, Maryjane and Laureena, whom he would call daily. He is lovingly remembered by wife, Pat; sisters, Bev, Patti (David) and Barb (Mike); son, Tim (Erica); granddaughters, Maryjane and Laureena; nephews and nieces, Colleen, Michael, Kevin, Jenna, Sean, Nicole, Aaron, Robyn, and Jennifer and a host of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Parkdale Church, 1095 Tolmie Ave, at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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MASA (FUGA)
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William Jim was a true friend
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Janice Dickson Hamm Sorry to read in the Winnipeg Free Press of Jim’s passing. I attended high school with Jim in Carberry when he lived there. I’ve thought of him over the years since, and often wondered what became of him. Even as a teenager, Jim was a kind and caring individual always interested in others. Condolences to the family.
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heather baraniuk of winnipeg mb sorry to read of Jim’s passing. HIs dad and my mother were cousins and I remember visits with the family when we were all kids.
i still remember the tragic accident that took his parents and sister. Too bad we have not been able to keep in toudh over the years.
condolances to the whole family
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Bob and Joy Gartshore While we met Jim and Pat but a few times at Trinity, we loved them right away and grieve with Pat and her family in their sudden loss. May the Lord hold them in his loving arms. God bless you.
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Ron, Tamara, Danielle and Alyssa Zicari Although our family did not know Mr. Barss well, we all have wonderful memories of conversations we had with him over the years while he assisted with Spectrum’s musicals. Whether it was behind the scenes during rehearsals or while waiting in line to see the show over the past years, Mr. Barss always had a smile and a kind word to share. Mr. Barss often shared stories of his family and their accomplishments. His love of his family and immense pride in them all, especially his wife and son, was obvious.
We are all so sorry for your loss. God bless you all.
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Dana and Mike England Pat, Mike and I would like to send our condolences and thoughts to you and your family. We are sorry we could not be there for you on this day but know that you are on our minds. JIm will be greatly missed he had a wonderful presence in any room he entered, with his warmth, bubbly personality and kindness. All our love and thoughts, we are here if you need anything. Dana and MIke
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Pat Chapman Jim was such a wonderful, caring, positive, loving man who will be missed by all of us who were blessed with knowing him. I’m so sad I will not have the opportunity to enjoy his company again, and my heart goes out to all his family that he loved so deeply. Whenever I sit down to sew I will remember Jim fondly and think about all the special moments we shared because of the Spectrum Musical Theatre Program.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Jessica McLeod I cherish the memories I have of singing along with Jim and his family after lovely nights at Spectrum Theatre. I am so sorry for your loss and my thoughts go out to all of you in this difficult time.
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Keith Fraser I am so fortunate to have had Jim in my life. I am particularly grateful that I have spent the past few months getting reaquainted with Jim as a co-worker. He inspired me many times and was SO PROUD of his wonderful family. I loved having him sitting over my shoulder as I conducted the Spectrum Musicals. He was ALWAYS there for the people he loved– the kids . I am happy that he had his recent family reunion – an event that he spoke glowingly about the last few weeks.
He is a beautiful and inspirational man that had a tremendous positive influence on the people he met.
I give thanks to God for bringing him into my life and pray that he lives in eternal comfort with the Lord he so dedicated his life to.
May God bless all the Barss family . I will never forget my friend Jim.
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Marcella and Dave Osmond Pat , Tim and Family, we are so sorry for the change that has come into your lives.
Pat we always enjoyed the times we spent together and those times give us very fond memories. Jim was a wonderful, faithful friend and we will miss him very much.
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Friends forever , Marcella and Dave
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Judy Harrison Just before Jim’s last musical, Hairspray, Jim tippy toed up to my office to share the rich and loving commendations of his beautiful and obviously cherished wife, Pat. He thought it a fine idea that Pat and her sewing mates were honored. We tried the newspapers, but they never returned our call. I still have the picture hat he thought should be shared with the community.
Jim was a generous and modest soul who adored his wife, Pat, and his son, Tim. His love of of Spectrum Community School was also appreciated and tomorrow we will give our blessings and thanks to a kind-hearted fan.
Thank you, Jim, for your time, support and celebration of Specrum’s Theatre Arts!
Warmest thoughts,
Judy Harrison
Principal
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Lynn (Spargo) Crust Pat, Tim, Erica, Maryjane, and Laureena,
I am so saddened this has happened to your family. I will cherish the many insightful, beautiful conversations I had with Jim over the years in my heart, and he will forever remain a special spirit in the Spectrum hallways and theatre. I am blessed to have known him.
Much love to all of you.
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Paula & Ron Brown Our hearts and prayers go out to all of you. Jim was always ready with a great big smile and welcome whenever we saw him. Pat, we will miss running into Jim and you at Butcharts – you were always such a lovely couple. It was obvious how much he adored you. Tim and Erica it was clear how proud he was of you and your wonderful family.
We are so sorry for your loss, Ron, Paula, Cody and Jessica
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Heather (Kornelsen) Raines Pat, Tim and Erica, I am so sorry for your loss. Pastor Jim’s gentle spirit and kind smile were one of the things that drew me to Parkdale when I first moved to Victoria. I know Pastor Jim had a huge impact on many people. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Big Jim see you in heaven!
Thank you very much for being nice to me.
Your old friend in JAPAN.