Died peacefully surrounded by family on July 2, 2012 in Victoria, BC. Born in Langford on June 19, 1928, Jim was predeceased by his father, Loo Gim Sing; mother, Loo Joan Shee; brothers, Roy, George and Frank; sisters, Mary Wong, Nellie Chan, Marjorie Sing and nephew, Alan Sing.
Survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Nancy; lovingly remembered by children, Kevin (Jill), Valerie Sing Turner, Marilyn Sing (Tim Evans), Jodi Lauder (Kevin). Goong-Goong will be greatly missed by his “pride and joy” grandchildren and step-grandchildren. Also left to remember his remarkable life are his sisters, Elsie and Margaret, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends and neighbours. Raised in Gordon Head, graduated from Mount Doug. Well-known greenhouse operator and agricultural innovator; in 1960, Jim partnered with federal researchers to develop an on-site research program in hydroponic crop vegetables in concert with a lab at the Saanichton Experimental Farms. This led to hydroponically-grown tomatoes for the 1963 season, marking the first commercial hydroponic greenhouse crop in Canada. His collaborations also led to viable hydroponic commercial production of Long English and White Spine cucumbers and sweet peppers. He also led the eventual merger of the Vancouver Island Greenhouse Growers with the Lower Mainland Growers which has become the “BC Hothouse” brand. His pioneering work was recognized with the Lifetime National Gold Mountain Entrepreneurial Award at a 2008 ceremony celebrating 150 years of Chinese Achievement in Canada. Jim retired from active growing in 1992 but continued to mentor and consult to other greenhouse growers. He enjoyed a retirement that included lots of golf and travel, spending time with his grandchildren and puttering around in his extensive garden producing zucchini, beans, tomatoes and amazing Spartan apples, all of which he shared with everyone he knew. Jim was extremely generous with his time to assist his community; from Treasurer of the Yen Wo Society (Chinese Temple) for over 50 years and President of the Chinatown Care Society, to truck driver for many bottle drives for school band fundraisers. He put in countless hours as a Commonwealth Games volunteer and was a enthusiastic supporter of many charities. Jim was a member of the Uplands Golf Club at the time of his passing and previously a 35-year member of Gorge Vale Golf Club and Victoria Chinese Golf Club. Jim was known for his sense of humour and contagious laugh. An avid gardener, teller of stories, aficionado of smooth Rye, lover of good restaurants and Nancy’s home cooking, Jim’s real passion however, was his family – his dedication and unwavering support to all of us will never be forgotten. Special thanks to the Emergency Room Staff at Victoria General for their compassionate care during Dad’s final hours.
Private Family Service. There will also be a Celebration of Jim’s Life open to all at Uplands Golf Club, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road, Sunday, July 22, 2012 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Victoria Chinatown Care Foundation, 555 Herald Street Victoria, BC V8W 1S5, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon, 107-1001 Cloverdale Avenue, Victoria, BC V8X 4C9. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Shirley Colquhoun Purcell
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Tim Chew From your nephew Tim, son of Max and Star, I will never forget going shipping on Saturdays and riding in the big white truck with wood sideboards on Oldfield road and eating the drumstick ice cream treat that you bought me from the corner store. Thanks for taking me to Vancouver in the BMW for business. I pray that Jesus be with Aunty Nancy, cousin Jodi, Valerie, Marylin and Kevin always. I always had fun working at your greenhouse, making boxes and getting paid a penny a box and Greg (my brother) and I having competition to see who could make the most. Rest in peace Uncle Jim.
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George and Viviane Quan To Nancy and loving family Jim Sing,
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We had to search back into our distant memory to recall the last time we had seen you and Jim and your happy family.But it was a very happy memory that was filled with joy and health and a promise of a bright future.
I feel that Jim and I were kindred spirits: We were both the same age and we shared the love of the game.
I have always admired Jim for his love of life and his indominable will to succeed. And I envy his resoucefulness and all his contributions to his community.
Viviane and I send our deep sympathies and we wish you all much love and good health.
Sincerely ,
George and Viviane Quan.
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Ron and Diane Duy Dear Nancy,
Ron and I would like to pass on our condolences to you and your family on Jim’s passing.
Wishing you and your family many happy memories of your life together.
Diane and Ron
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Terri & Ray Elston Dear Nancy & family, our condolences on the passing of your dear Jim. We have fond memories of his great personality & laugh. Ray remembers playing golf with him in the Victoria Chinese Golf Club at Gorge Vale. Sending hugs.
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Patricia Jones Dear Nancy and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing.He always had such a warm and cheery smile to welcome you home from our golf trips.
May the love of your family and many fond memories bring you comfort at this time.Patricia
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Victor & Pam Chang-Kue Dear Nancy & Family:
We were so sorry to hear of the recent passing of Jim.
Although we have not seen you and Jim in a while, we will never forget Jim`s warm and friendly smile and personality whenever we had the opportunity to meet him at various functions.
Sadly, you and your family must miss Jim so much, but you all have so many wonderful memories to cherish forever.
Thinking of you and your family in our prayers,
With our sincere condolences,
Pam & Victor Chang-Kue
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Joan and Walter Muir Dear Nancy and Family:
We share your deep sorrow for the loss of a very fine man and a very good friend.
Joan and Walter Muir
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Amanda Mills Dear Nancy and all the family,
I was very saddened to hear about Jim’s sudden passing.
It was a great privilege to have met him and seen the joy in his face on that evening of the 150 Years Gala when he was presented with his LIfetime Achievement Award.
In subsequent encounters, he was always kind, happy, dedicated to causes and a proud family man.
He will be much missed.My thoughts to you all,
Amanda Mills
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Norman & Bonita Mar To Nancy & the Sing Family:
Our heartfelt sympathy in the sudden loss of Jimmy. We are thinking of you and your family during this sad and difficult time.
Our sincerest condolences,
Norman, Bonita & Family
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Wendy Gedney Dear Nancy and all the Sing family,
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Jim. He was such a dear man. I always remember his lovely smile and warm laugh. He was interested and helpful in finding people for the Gordon Head School 50th Celebrations and it was great to see him at the Mt. Doug 80tn Celebrations as well.
Thinking of you all at this time.
Sincerely,
Wendy Gedney
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Susan and Al Morriss To our dear friend Nancy,
Our sincere sympathy to you and your family during this sad time. May the memories of Jim and all your happy times together bring you comfort.
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Bob Piew Nancy
I am so sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. He was such a kind and gentle person. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
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Steve and Stacey Larche Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May family bring you peace and comfort at this time.
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Mark and Danya Mrs. Sing and family
Please accept our condolences for your loss. Mr. Sing was always wonderful with our daughter and patient with my golf game. We will miss him dearly.
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Jeanne Murphy Jim was my landlord in the late 70s, when I rented the old family house on Blair. The family had decided that they would ask students for a very nominal rent for the house as a way of helping with their education. I was a single mother with a seven year old son, a student at UVic, and money was very tight. Jim was a kind and reasonable landlord, very easy to talk to, liked to laugh, and he frequently left vegetable gifts at the door. Jim, and your family, gave us a safe and affordable home.
I’ve thought of him with gratitude over the years. My condolences.
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Gary Hee, nephew I am sending my condolence on behalf my immediate family to Aunty Nancy and family, upon hearing of the passing of Uncle Jim.
I truly and sincerely believe he is a special type of humanitian with a very very unique style. His manner of helping others is very special.
I believe that he has set forth a legacy fors other to practise and for others to make our lives better, specially in the farming industry.
I shall not forget his kindness.
God Bless , my Uncle Jim.
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Laura Meyer I was very saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. I am so very sorry.
He was a very unique person – a very decent man. There are not
many like him. My sincere condolences.Laura
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John & Pauline Langdon Dear Nancy and family,
We were so sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. He was a very special man and will be deeply missed. Please accept our sincere condolences.
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Pat Evans Nancy
I was so sad to hear about the death of your Jim. I am devastated for you and want to wish you all the very best. Though I didn’t know him very well, I did know that he was a wonderful man. I believe that you have a large group of friends, and family and I am sure they will be there to support you through this dreadful time.
Much love,
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Bert and Lorraine Kirkham You are in our thoughts and prayers Nancy and family. Although we haven’t been together for awhile, fond memories remain of good times at our golf club, especially enjoying Kevins little ones and the joy they brought to you. It will be those memories that sustain you. We extend our heartfelt sympathy.
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Bernice and Dick Wheeler Dear Nancy and family:
We were so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing and send our sympathy and love.
We keep you in our prayers – Bea & Dick
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Gayle Chong To Nancy and family,
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy for your loss of a wonderful man. I had the privilege of meeting Jim a few times and, from all I have heard, Jim was truly an awesome person. My heart goes out to Nancy and family.
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Brad and Brenda Yee and family Dear Mrs. Sing and Family,
..To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die…by Thomas Cambell
…You are all in our thoughts and prayersWith our Deepest Sympathy…
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Zobeida Philp Dear Nancy and Family: May the sorrow you feel in your heart lightens by the love that surrounds you. Please accept my condolences. Love Zobeida
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Angela & Scott Parsons Dear Mrs.Sing and family:
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathy and condolences. We have heard many fine things about your husband from Valerie. He was a well loved, respected and revered citizen of the community.
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Michael and Julia Svetich Our Sincere Condolences to the Sing Family. In the short time we knew Jim we learned that he was a special person. Very giving and always took the time to say hello. We will miss that smile and the great conversations we use to share in your backyard.
God Bless
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Allison and Dennis Guevin Dearest Kevin and family,
We were sad to learn of your fathers’ sudden passing. Please know that our hearts are heavy and our kindest thoughts are with you and all your family at this trying time. Love, Dennis and Ally Guevin
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Mieke and Jay Fray Dear Nancy and family, please accept our deepest sympathy with the passing of Jim. Our hearts and prayers are with you all.
Mieke and Jay Fray
Sending this wee sympathy note as I only knew Robbie from long distance, he was such a great support to my beloved uncle at Berwick.
On a couple of occasions, I sent special requests for Robbie to do something for Uncle Mac, which he did most graciously and willingly.
Although I live in Oregon, I was touched by Robbie’s greatness and ability to be a friend.