DORIS, James Earl - Passed away peacefully and with dignity in Toronto on August 24, 2018, after a courageous struggle with Alzheimer's.
Born in Peterborough, Ontario on September 21, 1936, son of the late Earl Doris and Fern McCarthy, Jim spent his early years on his family's dairy farm near Keene, Ontario.
He is survived by his son Jim, daughter-in-law Laura Nield, grandchildren Jack, Charlie, Grace and Claire Doris of Toronto, brother Francis, sisters Mary Jo and Aileen of Keene, and by his beloved partner, Wendy Sommerville.
He was predeceased by his former wife Anne Casey Doris, and by their children Colleen and John. After graduating from St. Michael's College at the University of Toronto, he began his career teaching at Eastern Commerce and Central Commerce high schools in Toronto in the 1960s.
He was loved by his students who appreciated his enthusiasm and dedication. Some of these students kept in touch with him for many years. His success as a teacher led to a promotion to the Ontario Ministry of Education.
From 1970 to 1994, he acted in a variety of positions, including proudly serving as Administrative Assistant to Ministers Bette Stephenson and Sean Conway, Executive Assistant to Deputy Minister Bernard Shapiro, Director of the Legislation Branch, Director of School Business and Finance Branch, and Executive Coordinator of Education Finance Reform Project.
After his retirement from the Ministry of Education, he contributed as an education consultant in Bahrein and Oman, and for several organizations in Canada including the Council of Ministers, Canada and the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association. Although a teacher and educator, he was first and foremost a father and grandfather, dedicating his life to raising two children with cystic fibrosis.
He also served for many years on the executive of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, including as President, and was the co-founder of the Blue Jays 65 Roses Sports Club raising funds for cystic fibrosis research.
After retirement, he was a loving grandfather and close friend and mentor to Wendy's children (Tom, Jamie, Robyn, Keith and Marc) and their children. His other lifelong passion was music which he was fortunate to share with Wendy. As a songwriter he wrote the music for the first "Mickities" musical at St. Michael's College, and for the All-Varsity Reviews of 1959 and 1960. He and Wendy won the Simpson's Songwriting Contest in 1978 and published their first CD, "Home for Christmas Eve" in 2012.
Since his illness began, their last co-written song, "I will be your memory" has been watched by countless people on YouTube. He was glad to be able to share his love of music by playing piano and leading sing songs for several seniors programs in Toronto, as well as by playing organ at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarborough for many years.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Basil's Church (50 St. Joseph Street), Toronto.
In lieu of flowers, donations to cystic fibrosis research (www.cysticfibrosis.ca) would be appreciated.
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