In memory of
James Edward Virgin
November 6, 1927 - October 20, 2026
Let us take a moment to remember James Edward Virgin
November 6th, 1927, to October 20th, 2026
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, after 98 years of kindness, humility, and sharing, James Edward Virgin passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his wife Anne, to whom he was married for 68 years. Together they had 6 children, Linda, Janice, Don, John, Michael, and Jim. The family continues to grow with 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren scattered from Canada to New Zealand.
Jim spent his entire life in Scarborough. He would often tell us of his entrepreneurial skills as a youngster in the 1930's selling eggs from chickens he raised himself door to door in his Macey Ave neighbourhood. He played horn in a band and organized teen dances. He went roller skating at the Strathcona rink where he met Anne Colledge. They were married at the Church of the Advent in 1949.
At the young age of 14 he began working full-time at Ontario Hydro where he stayed for the next 44 years until his retirement in 1986. It is here that his nickname "The Chief" would become his lifetime moniker by his friends and family.
He lived for many years on South Edgely Ave where he was an active member of the Birch Cliff Heights community. He volunteered as bookkeeper for the United Church on Highview Ave, assisted with the 6th Toronto Scout Group and helped make the Highview Park Fair a fondly remembered success. He often took his children skiing at the present location of Variety Village
He was also a Mason with the Delta Lodge, an organization dedicated to personal moral development, charity, and building lifelong friendships. He was honoured for his work and received the William Mercer award for his dedication to the Masonic cause.
Two of his greatest interests were horseshoes and darts and over the years he amassed a variety of trophies and awards for his skills. Each summer he would relax at his cottage by Lake Simcoe and welcomed multitudes of family and friends to enjoy the outdoors. Fishing and boating on Lake Simcoe was a lifelong passion. He taught all of us how to catch a perch and charts were kept of who caught the biggest fish. He enjoyed spending many hours in retirement chasing the elusive pike.
Later, Anne and Jim took some time for themselves. They enjoyed Alaskan and Caribbean cruises and travelled to England and Scotland. They bought a van and spent happy months travelling throughout the USA. Large family gatherings were held in the backyard on Gradwell Drive and of course were captured on his trusty and always present video camera.
He kept a daily journal for the last 35 years of his life which is now a treasure trove for all of us to read and remember. Packed with minutia of daily weather, Blue Jays scores and the comings and goings of our entire family.
He never spoke badly of anyone, never cursed, and was kind and generous to all who knew him.
He will be missed by the entire extended Virgin, Halliday, Bradley, Frankland and Madden families.
Internment and celebration of life to follow at a later date
November 6th, 1927, to October 20th, 2026
On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, after 98 years of kindness, humility, and sharing, James Edward Virgin passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be remembered by those who knew and loved him. He was predeceased by his wife Anne, to whom he was married for 68 years. Together they had 6 children, Linda, Janice, Don, John, Michael, and Jim. The family continues to grow with 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren scattered from Canada to New Zealand.
Jim spent his entire life in Scarborough. He would often tell us of his entrepreneurial skills as a youngster in the 1930's selling eggs from chickens he raised himself door to door in his Macey Ave neighbourhood. He played horn in a band and organized teen dances. He went roller skating at the Strathcona rink where he met Anne Colledge. They were married at the Church of the Advent in 1949.
At the young age of 14 he began working full-time at Ontario Hydro where he stayed for the next 44 years until his retirement in 1986. It is here that his nickname "The Chief" would become his lifetime moniker by his friends and family.
He lived for many years on South Edgely Ave where he was an active member of the Birch Cliff Heights community. He volunteered as bookkeeper for the United Church on Highview Ave, assisted with the 6th Toronto Scout Group and helped make the Highview Park Fair a fondly remembered success. He often took his children skiing at the present location of Variety Village
He was also a Mason with the Delta Lodge, an organization dedicated to personal moral development, charity, and building lifelong friendships. He was honoured for his work and received the William Mercer award for his dedication to the Masonic cause.
Two of his greatest interests were horseshoes and darts and over the years he amassed a variety of trophies and awards for his skills. Each summer he would relax at his cottage by Lake Simcoe and welcomed multitudes of family and friends to enjoy the outdoors. Fishing and boating on Lake Simcoe was a lifelong passion. He taught all of us how to catch a perch and charts were kept of who caught the biggest fish. He enjoyed spending many hours in retirement chasing the elusive pike.
Later, Anne and Jim took some time for themselves. They enjoyed Alaskan and Caribbean cruises and travelled to England and Scotland. They bought a van and spent happy months travelling throughout the USA. Large family gatherings were held in the backyard on Gradwell Drive and of course were captured on his trusty and always present video camera.
He kept a daily journal for the last 35 years of his life which is now a treasure trove for all of us to read and remember. Packed with minutia of daily weather, Blue Jays scores and the comings and goings of our entire family.
He never spoke badly of anyone, never cursed, and was kind and generous to all who knew him.
He will be missed by the entire extended Virgin, Halliday, Bradley, Frankland and Madden families.
Internment and celebration of life to follow at a later date