We Remember
Service Update – URSEL, James “Jim” William
January 22, 1937 — September 29, 2021
A Celebration of Jim’s life will be on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 1:00 pm, at the Kelowna Curling Club, located on Recreation Avenue. THE FAMILY WELCOMES ALL OF JIM’S FRIENDS TO ATTEND THIS CELEBRATION.
It comes with sadness to announce the passing of James “Jim” William Ursel. After a battle with cancer, Jim passed away with his family at his side on September 29, 2021; he was born to Pauline and Rudy Ursel on January 22, 1937, in Winnipeg, MB.
Jim leaves to mourn Carol, his wife of 58 years; his son Robert “Bob” and daughter-in-law Leanne; Michael “Mike” and daughter-in-law Leslie; daughter Jill and son-in-law Geoff; along with 9 grandchildren Mitchell (Nevada), Brayden, Spencer, Shea, Benjamin, Abbey, Jessica, Emily and Sean. He also leaves his sister Gloria and brother-in-law Harvey; sister-in-law Jackie; former daughters-in-law Lori and Kristen; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, mother, and his brother Bob.
Jim’s career with Air Canada started at the early age of 18, and he retired at the age of 52. The family spent 8 of those years in Montreal, QC.
Jim was extremely athletic. His sport of choice was curling and, he started at the age of 11 in Glenella, MB. Jim’s impressive curling accomplishments included 1 Manitoba Junior Provincial title, 1 Manitoba Men’s Provincial title, 6 Quebec Men’s Provincial titles, winning the Brier in 1977, 2 Canadian Senior Men’s titles and 1 Canadian Master Men’s title. He has been inducted into the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, Quebec Curling Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Governor General’s Curling Club and the recipient of the Ross Harstone Memorial Trophy for Most Sportsmanship. He was the Canadian Curling Association Canadian Coach for 7 years, during which time he coached his sons Bob and Mike to a World Junior Championship and his daughter Jill to a Canadian Junior final. He was once asked by a reporter “what makes you so good?”, his reply was that it wasn’t him alone, that he was always surrounded by great people.
He retired to Kelowna in 1997, and soon after his children joined him in BC: Bob and Jill in Kelowna and Mike in Victoria. Jim remained active in his retirement finding fun in daily outdoor sports. He became a downhill skier, a Pickleball natural, and an active golfer.
But above all, Jim was a loving family man who blessed us with a lifetime of great memories. Fun and family times at Lake Baron in Quebec and West Hawk Lake in Manitoba come to mind. You would often see him and Carol walk the hills of Kelowna, arm and arm. He was a man comfortable with who he was, showed unconditional love and had a unique sense of humour.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Parsons, the care workers of Hospice House, and the many friends that were part of his life. His request would be for all of us to reach out to someone with an act of kindness. The family is requesting that no flowers be sent.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Service
Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 1:00 pm
Location
Kelowna Curling Club
Dear Carol, Bob and Leanne and all the Ursel family
Our sincere sympathy to you all in the loss of a very special family member. Our thoughts are with you at this tough time. With hugs and caring, Jean & Dale
Dear Bob and Leanne
We are saddened to learn of your father’s passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Garth and Carmen.
My apologies for this late condolence, but Jimmy Ursel was my favourite curler as a young boy growing up in Newfoundland. He won the first Brier I ever watched and I looked for him on CBC curling classic on Saturday evenings. I was searching for him online today and wanted to express my best wishes. You never know the effect you have on people.
Best regards Robin Kelly
Dear Carol and family,
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband, Dad and Grandfather. Jim was a very nice man, a gentleman and a great curler. I enjoyed playing with and against Jim. Clare and I had a lot of fun traveling to Switzerland & Sweden with you and Jim. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Carol and family,
My sincere sympathy to you and the Ursel family on the passing of Jim. Jim was our family celebrity and always made us proud! My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Cousin: Pat Ollevier (Nee Keller)
Carole, My condolences to you and the Ursel family on the passing of Jim. I met you and your family when Jim was inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in Winnipeg. My late husband’s mother was Lydia Ursel (Howard) originally from Glenella MB.
Dear Carol,
So sad to hear that Jim has passed away. Our thoughts are with you and your family. We know you will cherish all the wonderful memories you made together. Our deepest sympathy goes out to you.
Mary Anne and Jim
Dear Bob and Family,
In our younger years of curling, my sister Christine Jurgenson (Osoyoos) and myself (St. Catharines) looked up to Jim as inspiration to win a Canadian & World Championship. Ironically, we won our World Championship in 1986 in Kelowna. We studied Jim’s approach to the game, his calmness and his team work. Know that your Dad had a great affect on our curling world! God Bless your family!!
Fondly,
Christine & Marilyn
My sincere sympathy to Carol and family on the passing of Husband, Father, Grandfather. Jim. from Dave and Barb Robertson (friend of Deb English) daughter of Mrs Wyche)
Dear Cookie, Bob, Mike, Jill and families… our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Jim was such a kind and gentle man and I know you have many wonderful memories together. With love and sympathy, Eleanor White and Deb and Ken English and family
Hello Carol,
I’m so sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. You may remember Jim and I both worked in Finance Department Headquarters in Place Ville Marie. I have many fond memories of those times, not the least of which was the ‘Winnipeger” get-togethers we had that I always enjoyed so much. My sincere condolences and please know that my thoughts are with you and your family.
Dear Carol and family,
Our condolences go to you and your family on the passing of Jim a most kind and and gentle man. He will be missed by all the curling world. We also thank him and you Carol for your contributions to the Pionairs.
Sincerely, Bob and Bernice Horsman
Dear Carol: I’m saddened to hear this news. I’m sure Jim approached his battle with cancer like he approached all challenges in his life: with courage and determination. He was a great friend and neighbour and will be missed by his many friends. With love, Jackie
Dearest Carol, on behalf of the Air Canada family I send my sincere condolences to you and your family. I had never met
Jim, however having lived in Winnipeg for many years his name and his fame in the curling world was certainly familiar. Our heartfelt condolences.
Kent Gregoire
District Director/Air Canada Pionairs
Dear Carol and family, Our thoughts and sympathy are with you at this difficult time. I often chatted with Jim at church and found him to be a very kind and gentle person.
Jim and Helen Van Dam
Dear Carol, Sincere condolences to you and your family for the loss of Jim. We admired his quiet, patient and gentle approach to life. And we were in awe of his curing prowess! We appreciated working with both you & Jim on the Executive of the Okanagan Pionairs. With Love & Sympathy, Kathryn McLaughlin & Larry Harder
Carol and family ,Joan and I forward our condolences .We can remember a lot of good times and how proud we were as cousins of Jim with all the success he had on the curling rink.Rest in peace Jim.
Dear Carol, We are so sorry for your loss. We miss seeing you and Jim out for your walks in the neighborhood. Sincerest sympathy..Rick and Claudia Bunn
Our sincere sympathies Carol and the Ursel family. Jim was a great family man, outstanding curler and close friend. Art had the pleasure of curling with Jim for six years and never heard a harsh word from him. He handled his wins and losses with same calm demeaner. We will always cherish the European trips and the reunions we had in Quebec and Kelowna. RIP Jim.
Dear Carol: Judy and I send our sincere condolences to you and your family for the loss of Jim. I enjoyed working with Jim as the Personnel Mgr. at Air Canada and of course many conversations with regards to curling. He was a wonderful person and will sadly be missed by all. Enjoyed meeting with you at the AC Pionairs meeting Kelowna..
Dear Carol,
So sad to hear that Jim has passed away. Our thoughts are with you and your family. We know you will cherish all the many memories you made together. Our deepest sympathy go out to you. God Bless you.
To Carol and family Our sincere condolences . Jim was not just a great curler and a true gentleman of the game but a great friend and teammate. I look back at the years I played with Jim and Bob as some of the best and most enjoyable of my curling life. Carol its good that you have the support of your wonderful family at this difficult time and we hope to see soon