Mr. James “Jim” Joseph Chicago, age 80 years, passed away peacefully in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Saturday, April 15, 2023 with his family by his side.
Jim was born in Port Arthur on February 19, 1943. He worked as a Street Patrol Coordinator and was a Sign Writer. Jim was very proud of his Ojibway heritage and taught many lessons to so many people. He met Kim Macphail in Toronto in 1979, and they were married on September 20, 1985, spending over 37 loving years together.
In 1993, Jim and his family moved to Kenora, where Jim's extended family resided. He started pow-wow dancing frequently, and it became one of his passions. He then became involved with the Youth Drop In Centre where he helped youth maintain their culture, taking them to cultural events and pow-wows across Northwestern Ontario. The youth affectionately called him "Old School." He was an elder in the community, and taught many of our traditions to people across the province. His work with the Street Patrol in Kenora allowed him to help many native people in distress. Jim's other passion was the Toronto Blue Jays. He never missed a game when possible.
Jim will be deeply missed by his wife, Kim; his sons James, Todd, Joshua and Nathan; his sisters Margret, Virginia, and Theresa; daughters-in-law Leah and Curissa; granddaughters Jessica and Amanda; grandsons Johnathan and Daniel; alongside numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
He was predeceased by his mother, Pearl Chicago; his father, James Peters; his son, Derek Chicago; his sisters Doris Savoyard and Delores Chicago; and brothers Gus Savoyard and Norman and William Chicago.
Funeral Services for Jim will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 1:00pm in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James. Cremation will follow with interment in Kenora at a later date. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to service time.
For those unable to attend, a video recording of the service will be available on the Everest of Thunder Bay website.
Should friends so desire, donations made in memory of Jim to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
