It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, JIM, in the early hours of Wednesday, February 19th, 2020 at Luther Court in Victoria. Jim was born on the farm in Tiefengrund, Sask. to Gertrude and Ernest Krock. He is survived by his loving wife, Catherine, brother Ron Krock of Creston, B.C., sister Deborah Clark (Sebastiaan) of Fairmont, B.C., god daughter Carla Krock of Creston, B.C., god son Christopher Hinrichs of Port Moody, B.C, as well as nieces in Canada and the United States. He was also god papa to Robert Zastre. Jim was predeceased by his older brother, Glenn.
The Krock family moved to Saskatoon in 1943 where Jim attended Caswell and Pleasant Hill Public schools, City Park and Bedford Road Collegiate, and the University of Saskatchewan. He was the Accounting Manager at the Quaker Oats Plant in Saskatoon until he and Cathy moved to Victoria in 1967.
Jim met Cathy on a cold winter’s night while skating at the Arena in Saskatoon. They were married in Regina in 1966 and decided a move to Victoria and a warmer climate would be nice. Jim was the Accounting Manager for the Greater Victoria School Board and later held an accounting position with British Columbia Buildings Corporation (BCBC), retiring from BCBC.
A man of many talents, Jim loved all animals, especially pussy cats. All shapes, sizes and length of fur were welcome. Our first cat, Tom, who lived in the house we purchased was actually written in on the deed of the house. Tom was the first of many rescue cats welcomed by the Krock household.
Jim also enjoyed many hobbies, including helping Cathy in her classroom after he retired. He loved to read books of an historical nature and to play the piano. He took courses in Chinese cooking, welding, blacksmithing, stained glass, gardening and many more. He was learning the organ and built his first computer from a Heath kit in the early seventies. We still skated with the ‘old timers’ at the Oak Bay Rec. Centre the year Jim suffered a cardiac arrest.
I am grateful for our good friend, Elizabeth Kay Rogers, who has been a tower of strength these last few years. Thank you, Kay, and thank you Dr. John Kelly for your expert help and friendship.
Jim had a beautiful smile and if he had any wish, it would be to smile a welcome to whomever you meet.
Cathy would also like to thank the very fine staff at Luther Court for the care and kindness Jim received….it truly is a home away from home.
A Funeral Service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 3787 Cedar Hill Road on Tuesday, March 3 at 1:30 p.m. An Interment will take place at Royal Oak Burial Park on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 11:30 am.
Should you wish to make a ‘gift” to a charity in Jim’s name please consider – The B.C. Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Victoria Humane Society 3648 Robb Place in Victoria, B.C. V9E 1C8 or the Karren Stinson Bursary Fund in care of Lutheran Church of the Cross.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
11 Responses
Dear Cathy,
My belated condolences for the loss of your husband. I thought I would write you to let you know that in my collection of Pierre Berton books there is a signed copy by Pierre Berton (The Last Spike: The Great Railway 1881-1885) which was “To J.A. Krock Pierre Berton Nov 71” Also, “To. Jim, Merry Christmas Love, Cathy XX” I can’t remember when I purchased this book and from where it came but over the past 20 years I scavenged the earth to add only the best possible books to my personal collection of 50+ books by Mr. Berton. Some how it was meant to be that your gift to Jim so long ago will be a part of this treasure. Warmest wishes Tom Ranco Montreal August 25, 2023.