Obituary of James William Workman

WORKMAN, James William – New Ross, born on August 17, 1932 in Arthur, Ontario. Jim was the son of the late Harry Hazel (HH) Workman and Annie Caroline (Shaw) Workman. He spread his wings early, leaving Ontario at 16 to work on farms, and travel. Upon return from a motorcycle trip to California, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy, finding himself in basic training at Cornwallis, NS. From there he was stationed in Halifax, where he met a beautiful young woman at a YWCA dance. Alice (Mader) Workman, danced with him through 57 wonderful years of marriage. She was beside him, holding his hand, until he passed away in his sleep at Rosedale Nursing Home in New Germany, NS on Monday, June 8, 2015. After ten years in the Navy, Jim and Alice made their home in New Ross. Jim gave back to the community as a member of Christ Church, the New Ross Credit Union Board and New Ross Legion Branch #79. He was a life member of the Legion, volunteering his time as Legion Chaplain, bartender and secretary/treasurer. Jim worked at the Lunenburg Foundry, drove a mail truck route from Shelburne to North Sydney, worked the meat counter at Elliott’s Red & White, and raised pigs. In the 70s he began to drive the Irving Oil truck, a position he filled for 24 years. He made sure people had oil in their tanks, on weekends and during storms and holidays, forging many great friendships along the way. But it was as school bus driver that he met and cared for a generation of New Ross children. Jim drove the bus for 17 years, retiring in 1997. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Alice, New Ross; daughter Teresa (Gordon Hiltz), New Ross; sons Stephen (Cherry), New Ross and Allan (Darlene), Kentville; grandchildren Lindsay Workman, Dartmouth; Orry Workman, New Ross; Ellen and Wilson Hiltz, New Ross and his special nieces Laurie (Towriss) Moxon, Fall River and Nancy (Mader) Petrie, Mahone Bay. He is also survived by sister Norma (Brian) Woodside, Edmonton, AB; brother-in-law Les Towriss, Mount Uniacke, and sister-in-law Vena Workman, Whitehorse, YK; several nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by brothers Jack (Jessie) Workman, Frank Workman, sister Donelda (Elvin) McNally, and his beloved little sister, Mary Caroline (Workman) Towriss. Visitation with a Legion Service will be held at the New Ross Funeral Chapel, New Ross from 7p.m. – 9p.m. on Monday, June 15. Memorial service will be held at Christ Church, New Ross on Tuesday, June 16 at 1:30p.m. Rev. Judi Phillips officiating. Interment at the New Ross Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Forties Community Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Nova Scotia Alzheimer’s Society, Christ Church, New Ross, or the New Ross Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Lindsay Annapolis Valley Funeral Home (New Ross Funeral Chapel) (902) 689-2961. On-line condolences may be sent by visiting www.serenitylindsayfuneralhome.ca