From the mountains, to the sun, to the sky

It is with great sadness that the family of James Stuart Hethrington announce his peaceful passing on May 8th, 2024, just shy of his 87th birthday in the comfort of his home located in the mountains of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Jim was the cherished father of Christopher Hethrington (Yoko Hayakawa) of Vancouver and Marylee Hethrington (Paul McDonald) of Thornbury. He leaves behind a legacy of love and laughter that will be deeply missed by his beloved sister, Jane Cartwright, her late husband (David Cartwright) of Oakville, and their three children: Heather (Tim Weeks), Deborah and her daughter Taylor (Travis Holmes), and their son Andrew. Jim was also a loving stepfather to the sons of his late wife, Therese Naber Hethrington; Rob Naber of Vancouver and Mike Naber of Unionville. He leaves behind his loving grandchildren, Kate and William McDonald, Ren Hethrington, and their grandmother, Suzanne Hethrington, along with grandchildren of late Therese Naber Hethrington, Brittany, Dayna and Danielle Naber. He will be remembered fondly by an extended family of cousins and life long friends across the globe.

Jim was the only son born to Dorothy (Rawlinson) and Stuart Hethrington. Jim attended Forest Hill Public School in Toronto, followed by Pickering College and Northern Technology School. He then embarked on a career in architecture as a draughtsman with the firm, Page & Steele, Architects in Toronto.

One of Jim’s earliest passions was downhill skiing at Craigleith Ski Club, where he was a founding member. A passion that led him to relocate from Toronto to Thornbury with his first wife Suzanne and their young children, Chris and Marylee. The home they renovated in Thornbury was a source of many happy memories for the whole family.

Jim was actively involved in the Thornbury community including; The Curling Club, Reef Boat Club, Bowling League, Kinsmen and was one of the founding members of the Collingwood Squash Club. With his experience from Page and Steele, he established "Hethrington Construction" building and renovating homes in and around the Blue Mountains.

Interestingly, that same experience took Jim and his second wife, Therese Naber Hethrington, to Toronto where they together enjoyed renovating and flipping real estate. When they weren’t doing that, they were travelling, and their adventurous spirits soon took them to the mountains of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. They embraced the vibrant culture and after Therese's passing in August of 2009, Jim continued to live in San Miguel surrounded by dear friends in the beautiful home they had designed and built together.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Jim’s dear friend Martha Moncado. who's late husband, Colin Harnett, was Jim's best friend, and together they shared many great adventures! Along with Jim’s devoted caregivers in San Miguel; His housekeeper, Maria was with them for 19 years, Enoc for 7 and Charlie, the newest member of the team, was by Jim’s side to the end… They also arranged for a Mass to be held where friends and neighbours gathered to bid farewell to the gringo they knew for over 25 years. From the bottom of our hearts, they have our gratitude and respect.


Please join us in remembering Jim, his "subtle" chuckle and wry sense of humour, on Thursday, October 24 at the Mount Pleasant Funeral Home located at 375 Mount Pleasant Rd in Toronto. We will gather in the Hickory reception room on the 2nd floor from 12:30 - 2:30. Followed by an internment for immediate family.
Please RSVP to marylee13@zoho.com