Lives Lived; Jim McKinnon (Globe and Mail)
Hyfler/Rosner
Jim McKinnon
WILFRED SLATER
James McKinnon
Husband, father, grandfather, newspaper pressman. Born Sept, 21, 1931,
in Cornwall, Ont. Died May 8 in Toronto, of Alzheimer's disease, aged
74.
Laughter was a major attribute of Jim McKinnon's personality and it
became infectious among those in his presence. Associated with the
printing aspects of this newspaper for 36 years, he was adept at
tempering frustrating pressroom problems with bursts of laughter. He
was hired as a member of the pressroom crew, and eventually became
foreman and then a production department associate. His career began at
The Standard Freeholder in Cornwall, Ont., the municipality where he
was one of six sons born to Joseph and Janet McKinnon. During his
boyhood he delivered the hometown paper.
With rolls of newsprint weighing up to a ton and lead printing plates
more than 40 pounds, strength was an asset for the job. Of stocky
build, Jim adequately met the requirements. His youthful athletic
pursuits included lacrosse and hockey. For many years, he maintained a
backyard skating rink, complete with boards, lights and benches for his
children and their friends. Flooding the rink usually occurred at about
4 a.m., when Jim returned home from his nightly newspaper duties.
Later, All of the children, and their families, benefited from his
desire to bring his mechanical expertise to assist with projects about
their homes.
Activities with his sons would include lacing their hands into boxing
gloves and challenging them to show their mettle. The exercises
generated bouts of . . . laughter. Jim found strength in his faith,
especially during the trying latter years of his existence. Recitations
of a rosary brought peace and comfort. He had been an altar server in
his youth. At the onset of retirement in 1991, he and wife, Patricia,
visited the Vatican. The family treasures a photograph of Jim with his
hand outstretched to Pope John Paul II.
In July, 2005, the couple marked the 50th anniversary of their
marriage. Patricia, from a large Quebec farm family, and Jim raised
three sons and a daughter in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough. Jim
became the proud "Papa" of seven grandchildren for whom he generated
considerable delight with his portrayal of Santa Claus. The
grandchildren returned that joy during Jim's difficult final years.
Jim took an interest in baking during retirement. His specialties of
bread and lemon cookies were eagerly awaited by the family.
During a fishing trip, deep into the logging territory of northern
Quebec, Jim astounded his companions with what he described as
"extraordinary rod and reel expertise." The catch was huge lake trout
and Jim snagged the greatest number of fish, much to the chagrin of his
boat mate who was shut out, as were others close by. Although that
experience would be embellished, as is the wont of fishermen, he rarely
noted that his luck had diminished considerably a year later. The
catch, shipped in dry ice, would be unpacked at the home of one of the
participants, usually on the front lawn, where it would be equally
divided.
At the funeral, daughter-in-law Connie Power McKinnon related his
affection for the Montreal Canadiens, the deafening cheers of "Go Habs
go" during Hockey Night in Canada telecasts, the occasional desire to
play his fiddle, the enjoyment of a cold beer and a hearty meal
regardless of who had prepared it.
For many years, Jim and Patricia attended The Globe and Mail's annual
dinner for long-service employees. Inevitably, the reminiscing would
ignite Jim's exuberant personality.
Wilfred Slater and Jim McKinnon were Globe and Mail colleagues for 30
years.