Obituary of James D'Arcy

“Those who have done good, will go to the resurrection of life” - Welcome all - our deepest sympathy to Mary, and all of Jim’s relatives and friends. Today, we have gather together to acknowledge and honor, the passing of James Otto D’Arcy. On November 5, 2004 at the Pine Island Lodge, Maidstone, SK with Mary at his side, he peacefully left this life. He was predeceased by his mother, father and three sisters. Being the first baby boy born in the district of Wycollar, later to become the district of Marsden, Jim D’Arcy is a true and authentic pioneer of our area. In 1905 Elizabeth and Thomas D’Arcy, born in Ontario - then moved to North Dakota decided to homestead in the newly formed province of Saskatchewan. Thomas came to file on the NW 1/4 20-45-26 W3rd. In the early spring 1906, he came to his homestead with a load of settlers effects and started to build a house to live in. Mrs. D’Arcy arrived in Lashburn by train, with her year old daughter Irene on May 10, 1906 and was met by her husband with a team of horses and a democrat. They drove the 20 miles to the homestead and took up residence in the new two story lumber house. There the life of Jim began - born at home November 14, 1906. His two sisters came along later Margaret December 4, 1911 and Jean July 11, 1916. Jim and his sisters took their entire schooling at Wycollar - he finished Grade ten. After finishing school Jim remained at home, to help his dad farm. In 1928 his oldest sister married Fred Hallet and lived in the Roland View district - later moving to Cliffe district. Also in 1928 Jim’s dad purchased the Albert Wells original farm, where Ken and Doris now live, on the SW 1/4, 20-45-26 just ½ mile south of their original house, where they moved to. After the passing away of his father in 1931 - Jim was left to care for his mother, invalid sister, Margaret and younger sister Jean, also to do the entire farming - with horses which was hard work. Ten years later Jean married George Duffee, who later purchased a farm, a few miles east of Jim’s. Jim and George farmed together for several years, helping each other. However, Jim being a very hard worker, managed quite well and though maybe it was time to seriously search for a mate and life partner. For many years he would look left as he passed the Koch farmstead about 1 ½ miles south while on the way to town - seemed to be quite a number of girls there, in fact 5, an older and younger brother. In those days, several families - kids and all would get together at a farm in the area - namely Oliver Reid’s - he had a nice big front yard. There they held ball games, weiner roasts, races etc. usually Wednesday evening. It was here that Mary and Jim found attraction for each other. She was the eldest daughter of the Joe Koch family. Of course, Joe Koch, having been left to raise a family of seven after the sudden passing of his wife in 1936, was rather strict, thus Jim was a bit nervous and shy to ask Mary for a date, however one evening in 1941, the rather old 28 green chevy - with four wheel brakes - came chugging up the lane. The girls all laughed and chidded - wonder who he is coming for - of course, it must be Mary. We all got accustomed to this scene happening rather often - the 28 chevy coming down the lane, until one day it happened - Jim popped the question - “Will you marry me, Mary?” “Oh, but we have to ask Dad first,” Finally the two mustered enough courage to ask. Thereafter the date was set - August 11, 1943. Wedding at the rectory in Carruthers - reception at the house - Dance in Marsden - by the way this was a double wedding because our oldest brother Frank also ‘popped the question’ to Lillian Cunningham. Thus began the wedding rush in the Koch family. Of course “poor little me” had to carry all the wood in for the old homesteader stove. Thus began the long, happy, married life of Jim and Mary - a period of 61 years - August 11, 2004. To be true, they were unable to have children of their own, but my oh my as you look around this hall, these many nieces and nephews, 36 in all, were all their children. Taking Donnie King as a little baby for several months - Aaron and Michael Koch who used to go most Sundays after church to their place, and all the other nieces and nephews who came to visit. The Duffees, the Hallets, the Klingers, Weiszhaars, Toevs and Kochs. To them all, Jim was that loving, caring uncle, who read to them, played games with them, you name it - all will say “Uncle Jim and Auntie Mary, you are the greatest.” Jim was an avid reader - I am not sure whether he spent more time reading than Mary did praying. Because of his universal knowledge, through books, newspapers, radio and television - he was well versed and knowledgeable on almost any topic - it was always a pleasure to hear, his off the cuff, instantaneous jokes and comments, causing all to burst out in laughter very often. He was exceptional in his answers to someone who questioned his opinion - a characteristic I always admired and honored. To explain - On a very hot, humid, sultry afternoon we were gathered in the basement of their house. Our brother-in-law noticed and remarked how the pressure tank and pipes were really sweating and dripping - Mary had rags and towels spread around it to sop up the excess water - Jack asked again and questioned that perhaps something is wrong. Jim spoke up “Well Jack” he said, “I don’t think you will drown,” end of subject. That’s the way Jim was. Perhaps why the longevity of his presence with us all was so greatly enjoyed and appreciated. Perhaps I am a bit too lengthy, but can we, in a few words acknowledge the attributes and contributions of this true pioneer - from the very beginning of our district to a couple of years short of a century. Please bare with me a few more moments to portray some of his great influencing qualities. Their was his great love and care for his mother and invalid sister after the passing of his father, he was so helpful and caring without complaining. A truly loving, concerned husband, an example for us all who wish for a long lasting happy married life, always faithful and true to his commitments and promised, such, as seeing that Mary got to church, almost every Sunday, by taking her himself or somewhere to catch a ride. Although of different church beliefs, he never waivered or complained about his commitment. Maybe his example was an influence on how the different churches in our area cooperate so well today and in the past - as today with Pastor Ted and Father Theodore conducting this service together. To conclude I have to mention some of the many things, that by having Jim as a brother-in-law greatly influenced our family, Clara, I and our children. It was Jim whom I turned to after losing my father, when just 23, married with a wife and child, a green farmer, coming back after five years of boarding school. I seeded my first crop with the fertilizer attachment turning backwards, the crop was rather wavy in the fall, who other was I to turn to than Jim for help? Yes I can truly say he was like a dad - not interfering but giving advice when asked or needed, both actually and financially. As an example of this in March, 1958, Clara was expecting our third child (Orlando) (another boy), being close to her time, Mary came to stay with her. I had gone hauling grain at the Co-op Farm by Freemont - Oh! Oh! Things were happening - so Jim was called, he came quickly, Mary and Clara were slowly getting things ready to take to the hospital - when Jim suddenly says, “Lets get the heck out of here - don’t want to deliver a baby in the car.” How can someone be more obliging then taking one’s wife to the hospital to have her baby? Thanks Jim! Another even was that, one of our boys - as soon as Clara carried him into the porch of the church, would just start crying - nonstop. Solution - Jim offered to stay with him in the car until church ended. Thanks again Jim! This lasted for a few months. After the harsh winter of 55-56 spring being very late Jim came to help me get the crop in with his tractor and cultivator. Thanks again. Another experience was when I was going to butcher a heifer for meat. Jim came to help. We then went to shoot the animal so I up and aimed, pulled the trigger, the shell didn’t go off. In my excitement to eject the shell I had pulled the hammer back - pulled the trigger - the shell went off - shot another young calf in the thigh - I then had to butcher two. Someone commented, Norbert’s guardian angel must be with him - Jim replied “And your guardian angel can’t be gawking around either.” It was just great to have Jim and Mary so close to our home, only 1 ½ miles north. Just to mention a few personal events in Jim’s life. He experienced the life of a true settler, farming with horses, getting his first tractor with his brother-in-law George Duffee in 1944. Jim and George worked together many years. During the war, men were not to be found for harvesting. So in 1942 (a very good crop) the Koch family joined forces. Father, son and four daughters with Mary’s fiancé, Jim, formed a threshing crew that harvested Jim’s crop and the Koch family crop. In 1952 Jim and George bought their first combine, combining together until 1978 when he rented his cultivated land to his nephew Jim Duffee. In January 2004, he sold it to Karl Koch. In 1961, they had built a new house on the farm and lived there until 1990, then moving into the South View Manor in Marsden. Jim and Mary did some travelling too, they visited Black Hills in South Dakota, bus tour to Alaska and another tour east to New York. Both Mary and Jim were blessed with good health. However in 1986 Jim became partially blind, had tunnel vision, he could read the bigger print and see photographs, but otherwise was totally dependant on Mary’s help. Towards the end of 2002 Jim broke out with shingles after which he spent a week in the Maidstone Hospital. After coming home his health again began to deteriorate, being admitted again to the hospital February 13, 2003, leaving the manor not to return. I am sure the residents missed him walking daily up and down the corridor for his exercise. On March 3, 2003 Jim was transferred from the Maidstone Hospital to the Pine Island Lodge in Maidstone. Only once, he came home for a couple of days when Jim and Mary celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary, August 11, 2003. On our visits to the Lodge Jim always remarked what wonderful care he received from the staff there. Thank you very much for that special care. Although not outwardly a religious person, he respected the beliefs of others. Inwardly I believe he was a very religious, moral and upright person in all aspects of his life. Thursday evening, November 4, Mary, Clara and I were at his bedside for almost two hours that seemed like ten minutes, because of the things he said and how he said them, often causing us to almost break out in laughter. In the afternoon of November 4, our pioneer left us, with Mary at his side. I will end with what I started with “Those who have done good, will go to the resurrection of life.” - Eulogy given by Brother-in-law Norbert Koch Tribute by Shirley Pattison Uncle Jim and Aunt Mary were always part of our lives when we were growing up. He and Dad farmed together for a number of years until they bought their own equipment. Our family are all avid readers, so I was always glad Uncle Jim could see well enough to read. It was a great way to pass the time when he couldn’t see to go out and about. He found it very hard when he could no longer read. Walking was a big part of his life. At the farm and later when they moved to the Manor. He would get up early and walk in the hallway for an hour or so before anyone else was up. How many of us are that committed to walking? This was his way of keeping in great physical shape. Our Christmases and New Year’s Day were always together with Uncle Jim, Aunt Mary, Aunt Irene and the Hallett cousins. We always had Christmas dinner, then played cards and games. This would go on until late at night. It was a good time with us all togther. Uncle Jim liked to visit and while visiting you could always have a laugh about something. He was interested in what was happening with any family member. Wondering how and where they were. He knew what was happening in the community as well. He had such a good memory but some little thing wouldn’t come to mind. Even visiting in Maidstone we would need to read the history book and find something that he couldn’t remember. He always had a positive attitude which is important to get us through the ups and downs of life. He always seemed to be upbeat and cheerful. To add to this he had a great caregiver in Aunt Mary. She was always there to make sure he was comfortable and had what he needed. This she did until the very end of his life. He will be missed. Card of Thanks Mary D’Arcy, the Koch, Duffee and Hallett families express their sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who knew Jim nd provided so much care, comfort and friendship during his life. Mary, also wishes to express her heartfelt gratitude to those who provided transportation for her, to and from Maidstone during Jim’s illness while at the Maidstone Hospital and the Pine Island Lodge. Thanks to the doctors, especially Dr. Howard-Tripp, his personal doctor during his stay at Pine Island Lodge, and to the nurses and staff of the Hospital. A special appreciation, respect and gratitude to the outstanding, heartfelt, personal and thoughtful care provided to Jim and myself during his and my intermittent stay at the Lodge. The staff and caretakers were superb in all aspects of their care giving. All the cards received, flowers and offered donations in Jim’s memory were very much appreciated. Thank you all. Also a thank you to those who attended and participated in the service and lunch. The service took place at the Marsden Community Hall conducted by Pastor Ted Haas of the Marsden-Neilburg United Church and Father Theodore Hevi of the Roman Catholic Church of Marsden, Neilburg and Cut Knife co-assisting. It was special, ecumenical, moving and inspiring service both at the hall and graveside service. The community choir of Marsden-Neilburg complimented the service singing “The Lord Is My Shepherd” and “Nearer My God To Thee.” Four nieces sang a special song “You Are My All In All,” all accompanied by organist Marcie Park. Thank you one and all for the above special, inspiring services. A special thank you to McCaws Funeral Home, who so graciously administered the arrangements and to the pallbearers, all the nephews of Mary and Jim. It showed a considerate appreciation of your Uncle. Interment and graveside service took place at the Wycollar Cemetery. After which lunch was provided and served by the Neilburg and Marsden Altar Societies, assisted by some volunteers. This was a great couple of hours of socializing among those who came from near and far. Finally, I Mary wish to give a special thanks to Jim, a tremendous, caring and loving husband and a friend to all. As in his life, filled with peace, may he be granted eternal peace. God Bless you all. Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Pine Island Lodge Building Fund.