W.L. Gordon James

James, Walter Lorne Gordon. At Etobicoke General Hospital on February 4, age 88. Husband of Betty Rita O’Brien, father of Shawn Scott Peter, Kevin Geoffrey Gordon, and Maureen Elizabeth Marguerite, son of predeceased Earle and Emma James, and brother of predeceased Elwood, Ernest, Clarence, Kenneth, Ralston, Douglas and sister Doreen, and beloved grandfather of Silas James Todd, son of Maureen and partner Graham Todd.
Mr. James had a successful career in the arts and in business. He was born in Bradford, Ontario, where he taught piano and was organist and choirmaster at Trinity Anglican Church. After locating to Toronto, he was organist and choir director at several churches, including St. Paul’s (Rexdale), St. Barnabas (Halton), and Christ Church (Mimico).
As an accomplished pianist, having studied with renowned teachers including Weldon Kilburn, of Toronto, Jean Leduc, of Montreal, E. Robert Schmitz of France and San Francisco, he and his violinist son Kevin performed in 1981 at the inaugural fundraising concert for the 25-Year Scholarship Awards for students in the schools of the former City of York, established by Mr. James and later known as the W.L. Gordon James 25-Year Club Scholarship Awards.
His business career began with Ansco of Canada and subsequently with the Toronto Board of Education, the Township of Cornwall Public School Board, and the Borough/City of York Board of Education. He retired in 1985 as the Superintendent of Business for the York Board and engaged in consulting work for several years following, as well as using his music studio for teaching and performance purposes. He was a member of the Committee of Finance Officials for the Metropolitan Toronto School Board for 30 years, and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma where he was an active volunteer for the annual Kiwanis Music Festival.
He was a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music, held a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto, a Master of Business Administration from York University, and was a life member of the American School Business Officials and the Ontario School Business Officials.
He was Chairman of the Renewal Committee of St. James Cathedral in 1969, and was the People’s Warden of that Cathedral in 1971 and 1972.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Trinity Anglican Church Bradford – Bell Tower Restoration Fund, Box 282, 62 Church St., Bradford, Ontario L3Z 2A8.
Family and friends will be received at the Ward Funeral Home, 2035 Weston Road (north of Lawrence Ave.) Weston, on Thursday, February 12th, 2015 from 2pm until time of service in the chapel at 3pm. Committal at St. Paul’s Cemetery, Coulson’s Hill (north of Bradford) at a later date.
Please visit our Book of Memories at www.wardfuneralhome.com