Obituary of James Cork
James Justin Cork
March 5, 1960 - December 22, 2022
Peacefully at his beloved York Street home with his loving wife, Christina by his side. Predeceased by his mother, Gwendolyn Dainty and father, Justin Cork. Jamie, as he was known by family, is lovingly remembered by his Uncle Don (Dainty) and Aunt Diana, his mother-in-law Dianne, brothers-in-law Kent and Scott, his beloved nieces, cousins, and close friends that were chosen family including Dave and Connie, Sara, Justin, Jay, and Joel, and ‘sister wives’ Darlene and Joyce. Jim was truly one of a kind, a larger than life individual, he will always be remembered, greatly loved, and missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Jimmy, as he was known by co-workers and many friends, was the most caring, genuine, and generous individual. He had a strong passion for music and musicians and befriended and helped many. Jimmy gave numerous local artists grants to complete albums, acquire instruments, and further their craft. Jimmy's personality was as big as his voice, and once you met him you never forgot him. His booming voice and passionate singing didn't require a microphone, he could and would carry any room whether he knew the words or not. He was one of the funniest people out there, with an old school sense of humour and tendency to say things maybe some others wouldn't. This just added to his charm and character.
Many may not know that Jimmy's family, on both sides, were quite renowned and prominent in Canadian history. There was a semi-joke that Jim was ‘Canadian Royalty’. His paternal great grandfather, John Milton Cork co-founded Loblaws, Canada’s first self-service grocery store, in 1919. His grandfather Justin Milton Cork was Chairman of the Board at Loblaws until 1957. On Jim’s maternal side his grandfather, Ernest H. Dainty, was a famous Canadian pianist, composer, and conductor. Ernest had his own radio show in Toronto prior to the days of television and his song ‘Carry On’, was a WWII hit. Jim’s mother, Gwendolyn, was a prominent performer, actress and poet. At the young age of sixteen, she joined the Canadian Army Show and traveled Europe entertaining the troops during WWII. In 1986 Gwendolyn, along with Jim and his Uncle Don, founded the Ernest H Dainty Foundation, a non-profit foundation providing financial assistance to young musicians.
Jimmy deeply loved his wife, Christina, more than anything in the World. Their love was truly one for the ages, exhibiting love, loyalty, and respect for one another. And he adored Allister, their feline fur baby and beloved family member for the last 15 years, his ‘baby boy’. Jim’s wife, his friends, and family, his co-workers to whom he was an icon and legend, numerous musicians, and artists whom he's supported will miss him wholeheartedly. There will never be another one like him! Boisterous, passionate, playful, and always thinking of others, this man was one of a kind.
Celebration of Life will be held at BLUMartini (178 Ontario Street, Kingston) on Sunday, March 5th, 2023 from 5:00 - 10:00 pm
Inurnment to take place at Mount Pleasant Cemetery (Toronto) in spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Ernest H. Dainty Foundation will be greatly appreciated by the family.
https://www.facebook.com/ernestdainty/
