James Ham

JAMES ALAN HAM
1923-2016
On May 28, 2016, James Alan Ham passed away peacefully at the Ottawa General Hospital; his children Deborah, Elizabeth, Alan and Linda were all with him in his final days. Jim had been predeceased by his beloved wife Nancy Doreen Ham (1923-2014).
Jim was born in Ottawa on August 19th, 1923 at the Grace Maternity Hospital and spent the next 19 years living with his parents in Ottawa south. He attended Hopewell Public School and Ottawa Technical High School where he graduated in 1942.
Following graduation, Jim joined the R.C.A.F. and served for the next three years at various Canadian R.C.A.F. stations as part of the BCATP. On being discharged in the fall of 1945, he continued his formal education, attending Carleton College (1945-1946), then University of New Brunswick (UNB) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Forestry, in 1949.
In 1950, Jim married Nancy Robinson, whom he had known since childhood. They were blessed with, and he is survived by, their four children: Deborah (David Poley; Oliver, B.C.); Elizabeth (Ottawa); Alan (Patricia; North Gower) and Linda (Paul Bychok; Iqaluit, Nunavut), and fourth "daughter" Nancy Barry, seven grandchildren: Katherine, Jeremy, James (Koryn), Jennifer, Kira, Anika and Jason, and one great-grandchild, Olivia.
In 1952, Jim re-enlisted in the R.C.A.F. and was granted a Royal Commission as a Logistics Officer. For the next 20-some years, he, Nancy and family were posted to various R.C.A.F. stations in Canada, and a final posting of three years in France and Germany.
Jim retired from the Forces in 1970 and became a member of the federal government in the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce, and later the Department of External Affairs, finally retiring in 1985.
On retirement, Jim and Nancy decided to travel, visiting a different major geographic area each year. In this way, they travelled through all the provinces and territories of Canada, much of U.S.A. including Alaska and Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Their international travels ended in 2011 when they moved into a retirement home in Ottawa.
Jim joined the Masonic Order, following his father's footsteps, in 1950 and subsequently became Worshipful Master of his Lodge, the Lodge of Fidelity, for 1972-1973. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite in Ottawa and Hamilton, and of Tunis Shriners, Ottawa.
At his request, Jim will be cremated with internment at a later date at Capital Memorial Gardens, resting alongside his wife Nancy. There will be no Masonic Service; A visitation will be held at the Westboro Chapel of Tubman Funeral Homes, 403 Richmond Rd., Ottawa on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 from 7 to 9 p.m. and a memorial service will be held held in the chapel on Friday, June 10 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Shriners Hospital, 1529 Cedar Ave., Montreal, QC, H3G 1A6.
The family expresses sincere thanks and gratitude to the various medicals teams , and in particular the wonderful staff at the Ottawa General Hospital for their excellent care and compassion.