Jim Bothwell entered the presence of his Lord and Saviour on December 17, 2025, at the age of 92. He is lovingly remembered by Ellen, his wife of 72 years, his children, Elizabeth (John), Linda (Ray), Steve (Tracy), his grandchildren, Michael (Michelle), Bryan (Taylor), David (Katie), Stephen (Hailey), James (Amanda), Jenny (Cooper), Andrew (Taylor), and his great-grandchildren, Ashleigh, Ava, Zoey, Mason, Amelia, Oliver, William, Lewis, Daphne, Jonas, Nora and Claire. He is also sadly missed by other family members and friends.
Jim was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on September 14, 1933, to James and Adeline Bothwell. He was six months old when his mother died. Sadly, his two and a half year old brother, Desmond, died six weeks later. Jim was then raised by his aunt and uncle, Ellen and Thomas Maxwell, along with his cousins, Bill and Mary. The family attended Matchett Street Gospel Hall. As a youth, he enjoyed being part of the Boy Scouts and the Boys Brigade. While in the Boys Brigade, he was part of a marching band, playing the side drums.
At age 16, he began a six-year apprenticeship program as a plumber. He was employed by Shaw Evans until 1957. On December 16, 1953, he and Ellen were married at St. Mary’s Church of Ireland. They emigrated to Toronto with their first two children, Elizabeth and Linda, on June 27, 1957.
Because employment was scarce, Jim and Ellen returned to Belfast in December 1959. While Ellen and the children returned by plane, Jim endured nine days on a ship, five of which were stormy. They bought a house on Westway Parade and through the witness of their neighbours, Wesley and Ann Robinson, Jim accepted Jesus as his Saviour, six weeks after Ellen. Jim and Ellen became members of The Welcome Evangelical Hall, where Jim was Sunday School Superintendent, sang in the men’s group, led services and assisted the Pastor with baptisms.
On March 15, 1972, Jim and Ellen, with their three children, emigrated once more, first living in Etobicoke and then Mississauga. They attended Richview Baptist Church. Jim was again faithful in service. He served as a deacon for twenty-two years, was chairman of the deacon’s board, taught Sunday School, and sang in the choir for fourteen years. He was also the Men’s Fellowship coordinator, led the Over 50’s group with Ellen and was on the committee for the Seniors Residence.
Jim and Ellen bought a cottage on Star Lake on September 1, 1987. This was where he was most happy, spending time at the cottage surrounded by his family, whom he loved dearly. He took his grandchildren waterskiing, for long walks around the lake, had camp fires and somehow managed to get them involved in his never- ending renovations. He was the original DIY man.
Yearly trips to Myrtle Beach, where he was the life of the party, and several trips to California and Northern Ireland were thoroughly enjoyed.
In 1989, he worked for York Peel Mechanical as a construction superintendent and later for Ontim Investments Ltd, as a master plumber. He was a member of Local 46. He semi-retired in 1995.
Jim spent the last years of his retirement living at Holland Christian Homes, Brampton, where he was the resident expert on St Patrick and all things Irish. He loved to socialize and was known to everyone. His faith and love of family were the foundations of his life.