James (Jim / Jay) Herbert Ayres
Jan 30, 1947 - Dec 21, 2014
Jim Ayres of Edmonton passed away at the age of 67 years.
Jim is survived by his three children, Candace Ayres (Calgary), Chris Ayres and Lisa Ayres (Edmonton), and four grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph Ayres (1956) and Maud Ayres (1950) of Toronto and daughter Angella Ayres (1972).
In honour of Jim's memory, donations can be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
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I am saddened to learn of the death of your father Jim, who was my second cousin (his mother Maud and my mother were first cousins). We knew him as Jay and I became particularly close to him. During the weeks his mother was dying in the hospital, he–just 3 years old–lived with us. As a young teenager I was his babysitter after school and remember him as a lovable friendly child who was just old enough to understand that something serious was going on. I don’t recall if I ever saw him (or his brother Gerry, who was my age) after November 1950; they lived in the northern suburbs of Toronto, your grandfather Ralph did not especially care for Maud’s relatives, and after he remarried, the tie was broken. My mother and grandmother were concerned about him–I think your grandfather’s second wife really did not want a young child around–and made some effort to ensure his future. I have somewhere a letter he wrote them from Edmonton when I think he was around twenty; if you are interested, I will send it to you.
Although this is very belated–I only found the obituary this morning–please accept my sympathy.