It is with great sadness that his family announces the passing of James Gale Freeman, in Victoria on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at the age of 88 years. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Kathryn and will be remembered by his five children, Hugh Freeman (Sally), Bowen Island, Leslie Freeman-Miller (Eugene Miller), Leduc, Sylvia Freeman (Bernie Van Dyke), Edmonton, Patrick Freeman (Norma), Victoria, Colleen Freeman, Stevenson Ranch, California; eleven grandchildren, Marcus and Katy (Hugh), Daniel, Erin and Michael (Leslie), Julie Anne, Jessica and Mallory (Sylvia), Lisa and James (Patrick); and Jeremy (Colleen) and three great-grandchildren, Jack (Erin), Henry (Julie Anne) and Claire (Jessica). James Gale was born in Edmonton on August 23, 1923 and lived a long and happy life. He served in the Air Force during WWII and was an active member of the 700 Wing and the Knights of Columbus for many years. When his long career with Swift Canadian in Edmonton was completed, he moved with his wife, Kathryn, first to North Vancouver and then to White Rock and enjoyed the mild coastal weather. After his wife’s passing, he moved to Victoria, where his son, Patrick resides. He will be missed.
There will be no service now, but a Funeral Mass will be held in Edmonton at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at St. Theresa (Millwoods) Roman Catholic Church. He will be interred at the Gardens of Gethsemani in Surrey, B.C. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com. or simply arrange for a Mass to be said in his name, or make a donation in his name to the charity of your choice.
59 Responses
Sincere sympathy to Patrick, Norma and all your family. May the memories of your father be cherished forever.
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I am glad you were there to be with him before he passed. You and your family are in my thoughts. Wish I could be there in person for you!
Love,
Charmaine
colleen, thinking of you and hoping you find comfort with your family and friends. sending a big hug. love, bev.
On behalf of Elwyn, Gale’s younger brother, and Elwyn’s family, I offer our family’s condolences. Our families shared many backyard barbeques when Aunty Kay and Uncle Gale lived in Edmonton so many years ago. I remember Uncle Gale was always cheerful, had a true sense of humour and impressed me with the speed of his mental mathematical calculations. My husband, Peter, and I visited him in Victoria not that long ago and he was chuckling and joking with us and the staff as I had always remembered his nature to be. Our thoughts are with his family now in loving memory.
Dawna
(Facebook entry: on June 26, Tuesday, 2012 @ 2 a.m.)
JAMES GALE DWIGHT FREEMAN: Born August 23, 1923. Died: June 26, Tuesday, 2012 at 12:31 a.m.. Beloved Husband of 68 years to Kathryn Christena Mac Isaac. (Born April 23, 1924. Died: September 26, 2002). Decorated World War II Veteran in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Past National President of the 700 Wing Association, & Past President of the Edmonton, Alberta local Association. Accelerated from Grade 5 to Grade 7. Honor student for 12 years. Could figure out mathematical equations in his head without any paper & pencil. Grade 10 Royal Conservatory Piano. Excellent ball room dancer. Loved to read Encyclopedias from cover to cover and always knew all the Jeopardy answers. Loved to travel. Excellent host. Had a sharp sense of humor. Beloved Father of Hugh, Leslie, Sylvia, Patrick and Colleen. Grandpa of Marcus, Katy, Julie, Erin, Jessica, Jeremy, Daniel, Lisa, Michael, Mallory & James. Great Grandpa of Jack, Henry & Clair. Was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus & very active member in Star of the Sea Catholic Church in White Rock, B.C. Was an Accountant for Swift Canadian for over 40 years: never late for work & never missed a day of work. He also worked in the summers at the Northlands Racetrack. Known to tell me to eat my vegetables so that I grow hair on my chest. Probably a good idea, since Edmonton can go down to -40 F in the winters. Told me if I got 80% on a test, “why didn’t I get 90%?” I will never forget when we were in I.G.A. Grocery store together & Margaret Glanz, a young neighbour girl across the street was our cashier. She gave my dad back $50 instead of $5, in change. He quietly told her that he only needed $5 back & gave it back to her. She was very grateful, practically in tears & thanked him repeatedly, as she could have been fired. My Dad showed me that he was honest & humble. He never took advantage of that situation, when he well could of. A Father raising 5 kids, could have used the extra money…. He instilled a strong sense of loyalty, hard work, dedication, strong work ethic & a joy of music. From Nat King Cole, to Johnny Mathis, to Glen Miller, Guy Lombardo, the Tijuana Brass, Musicals such as The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver!, Camelot, My Fair Lady, & Marching Band Music. Told me that my Mom had great legs. My Dad was very Masculine, strong & handsome. I’d say tall, dark & handsome, except that Dad was only 5′ 6 & a half inches tall. He was a sensitive man & very sentimental.My Dad would blush if there were women underwear commercials on, so he was out going & social, but had a shy side as well. He & my Mom enjoyed socializing with their many close friends & with their brothers & their spouses. He loved to go for long drives & had an excellent sense of direction. Grew up Protestant, but became Roman Catholic in order to marry my Mom. He met her in Regina, Saskatchewan where he was in training for the Royal Canadian Air Force. He met her at a skating rink and asked her if she would “like this skate”. They loved to skate & dance together. My Dad was athletic when he was young: skiing, basketball, hockey, & enjoyed golf in later years. James Gale Freeman, was the perfect gentlemen. He always opened up doors for women, including car doors & always helped my Mom with her coat. He always insisted when I walk down the street with him, that “the man always walks on the outside, in order to protect the woman”. He was chivalrous. My Dad was a morning person, & liked to have routine, by clock work. He was always on time & early. He had an equal relationship with my Mom. They made all their decisions about everything, jointly. My parents were ahead of their time in being modern in a lot of their thinking. My Dad never had a car accident or a speeding ticket. My Dad was the closest that Jeremy had ever known for being a Permanent, Stable, Constant, Affectionate, Father figure in his life. Dad loved Jeremy for who Jeremy was, was really proud of all his accomplishments, & didn’t expect Jeremy to be someone he wasn’t. . His nickname for Jeremy was J.J. – Jeremy James, after his Grandpa. Jeremy spent a lot of time with my Mom & Dad in White Rock. Two days ago, when my Dad was still able to speak to me, I told him that he was so handsome. He told me, “I still am”. Even in dying, my Dad still had his sense of humour. Last night I held my dear dog Daisy as she lay dying in my arms. Tonight, I held my dying Father in my arms, as he gurgled in his chest in his efforts to struggle to breathe. I held his big strong hand, sadness overwhelming me, but relief for my Dad knowing that when he took his last breath, he was finally at peace. I told my Dad that he could let go now, that I loved him & that Mom was waiting for him. He took 2 final breaths, as I held him in my arms & Jeremy held his hand & then, he was gone…Two days ago, he told me he saw his Mother & his Father & his sister Holly. He asked for his brothers, Roger, Elwyn & Garth. And Garth again. I asked him if Mom was there, & he said that he didn’t see her yet. He also asked me who the man was that was standing at the end of his bed. There was no man there. At least, I couldn’t physically see anyone… James Gale Freeman, Gale to some, Jim to some, James to some, lived a life of 88 years. He endured the Depression, World War II, saw the aftermath of the concentration camps in Germany, & always paid honour on Remembrance Day to the Veterans. He was a proud man, & didn’t show his feelings,he liked to give hugs, but I knew that my Dad was Proud of me & of Jeremy. And that’s good to know. I have lived with the regret for the past 10 years of being unable to be with my Mom when she died. I do not have that regret with my Dad, & I’m so very grateful that I was able to spend this precious time with him. You’re free now Dad. Your brain & your thoughts are clear. You’re able to see Grandpa & Grandma Freeman, Mom, Aunt Holly, Aunt Faye, Grandpa & Grandma Mac Isaac, Uncle Bernie,Aunt Elinor, Aunt Alice, Uncle Ed, Aunt Esther, Al Smitten, Marie Corcoran, Jim & Joan Calder, Uncle Wally, Daisy, Shenzi & Chloe. Dance like you always did, Dad, light on your feet. Give Mom a big hug & kiss for me. Watch over me Dad. I love you & I will miss you. Love, your youngest, Colleen. oxo
My thoughts and prayers are with you Sylvia…..I remember your dad would always go to the car to smoke his cigars in the winter …it made me smile, still now, when I walk past the old house in Gold Bar, I can see him sitting in the front seat of his car smoking his cigar…still makes me smile…..
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the families. Gale/Uncle Gale will be remembered as a good worker and a good man who provided well for his family. Aunt Kay and Uncle Gale created a good Christian home for their family and had a good and long married life together. We remember the many barbeques and family times enjoyed in Edmonton. The BBQ steaks were always the best since they were purchased from Swifts!
We are sad to hear he is gone and will always remember him fondly.
Ray, Don and Sandra
A message from Uncle Garth that shares interesting things about Dad.
On Jun 26, 2012, Garth Freeman wrote:
Just heard about Gale’s ‘PASSING’, are thinking about You and Norma and the responsibility You Both have had looking after Gale in His final years; and of course …. wishing all of KAY an GALES family best wishes for the future, after their grievance.
Gale had a full life with many experiences : graduated at 16 YEARS OF AGE with honours from High School, a decorated War Hero, President of the 700 Wing and , National president of the Canadian Air Force Association, ALTHOUGH I DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT TITLES HE HELD IN THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SOCIETY SO I WILL USED THE TITLES OF PRESIDENT OF THE WHITE ROCK AND EARLIER AUDITOR AND TREASURER OF 5 DISTRICT K.C CLUBS ( a very dedicated MEMBER OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH……)
I am thinking tonight of the many years Elinor and I enjoyed many weekly visits with both Gale and Kay , and how lucky we were, able to enjoy both of their company. At the same time I can only guess about Gale’s final years with Dementia, but knowing HE IS GOING TO A ” better place” ………
( another memory , was at the grave site for KAY, THE Priest was late, and PAT WAS PREPARED TO GIVE THE SERMON , another
memory for ME, AS THE LAST ONE ‘OF THE FOUR’….. MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU ALL, AMEN…. IN YOUR ”HOUR” OF GRIEVANCE
HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO HAVE A BROTHER LIKE GALE………………..
Gale was my God Father as he is listed on my birth certificate that way. When I think of Uncle Gale I smell the aroma of his ever present cigars. In my teen years I admired his work getting Swift’s computerized.
He was a kind and loving father.
Hughey and I shared many adventures at the lake. Hunting bird eggs and frogs with Hughey is still a great memory.
My mom and Dad were and the Freemans were close friends for many decades.I know Mom and Dad will miss Gale and remember him with love and fondness in their hearts.
May God Bless All
Philip Hague
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Mom and Dad Hague are of similar age and holding on. It is hard to witness your parents getting old, very old, but that is the way of the universe.
Your Dad was a good friend to our Mom and Dad Hague and a good friend to me while I worked at Swift Canadian in Edmonton. He always had a positive aura and that is the way he will be remembered – a man of integrity and good humour. He added to life.