Obituary of James "Jim" Brass
James Woulward Brass
November 2, 1940 - July 15, 2024
Jim (Jimmy to many) was born on November 2nd, 1940, in Lachute, Quebec. He was the third of three children of William and Lillian Brass which also included Margaret (Tom Smith) and Robert. His family had immigrated from the Orkney Islands, off the north tip of Scotland, in 1938. Jim was the first Canadian-born Brass. Sadly, Jim lost his mother as a child of eight. After his father’s remarriage to Barbara, Jim was joined by new siblings Karen (Warren), Ian (Manon) and Heather (Bob).
Jim grew up just outside of Lachute on the North River Farm which ran down, unsurprisingly, to the North River. The farm had, at one point or another, beef cattle, sheep, pigs, ducks, geese, chickens and many cats and dogs (border collies usually). It also featured a maple sugar shack and forest ‘up on the mountain’ on the high ground to the north. A lovely waterfall, which became spectacular in the spring, was near the sugarbush. And of course there was Jim’s father Bill’s passion; Clydesdale Horses. In his youth, Jim had some great adventures hauling livestock to Oklahoma, driving an eight heavy horse team in the Calgary Stampede parade and showing cattle across Ontario and Quebec.
Jim met Patricia Poley in Lachute and after a number of years dating they married in 1963. Their son Steven was born in 1964 followed by Glen in 1966. Jim worked as a Herdsman on a number of farms in Sherbrooke, St. Andrews East, Quebec and later in the Belleville area.
In 1972, Jim started with Agriculture Canada as a Principal Product Inspector and the family moved to Fort Erie, Ontario. During that period he coached many youth hockey teams. Summer vacations were family road trips with a tent-trailer to Manitoulin Island, PEI, Virginia Beach, Gettysburg, the Blue Ridge Mountains and other spots in the US North East.
In 1979, Jim received a transfer to Arnprior to be closer to friends and family in Eastern Ontario and Quebec. In the years that followed, he purchased a 60 acre plot of excellent farmland backing onto forest in Clay Valley, McNab Township, just west of Arnprior. He built a house, barn, outbuildings, fenced off pastures as required and acquired machinery. He then set about to build a small top quality herd of purebred Hereford cattle. He also had a number of border collies - just as companions, he didn’t need them to herd his incredible docile cows. He also took in assorted cats that people seemed to just drop off because they maybe just knew he had a soft spot for all animals.
He greatly enjoyed showing his cattle at fairs all over the Ottawa Valley in the summer and fall. The resulting trophies, banners and ribbons attested to his breeding and showing expertise. In hindsight, on a certain level, Jim might have slightly preferred the company of animals to people. They are more direct and predictable, he would say,
Retirement from the Canada Food Inspection Agency came in 1999 and Jim was happy to focus on farm, family, fairs and friends which were his true passion. And cutting wood, He loved to cut wood.
Jim will be fondly remembered by his daughter-in-law Tara MacLennan, grandsons, Thane and Thurston, grand-daughter Cassie (all of Ottawa), Pat’s siblings (Veronica, Donna, Bill and Gary) as well as his many nephews and nieces (and their kids), neighbours, colleagues, townsfolk and friends.
Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to the following organizations:
Alzheimer’s Society of Canada (https://alzheimer.ca/en) or
Ottawa Valley Junior Hereford Club (Etransfers to: jennjane.hess@hotmail.ca, or mail cheques written to Ottawa Valley Hereford Club ‘in memory of Jim Brass” to 3720 Paden Road, North Gower, ON K0A 2T0)
Jim's arrangements have been entrusted to the Boyce Funeral Home Ltd., 138 Daniel Street N., Arnprior. A Celebration of Jim's Life will be held at a later date to be announced.
