Obituary of James Roby

ROBY: James Edward Jr.'

(James Ed) passed away peacefully at Chatham-Kent Hospice in his 83rd year.

James is predeceased by his parents Gloria Marjorie (Alexander) and James Edward Roby, brother-in-law Lynn Jones of Taylor, Michigan and sister-in-law Sheila Hanson of Detroit, Michigan and many aunts and uncles and other relatives. James is survived by his wife Janis (Jones), sons Alexander of Windsor, Joshua and granddaughter Avery Rose Micks of Chatham, Ontario. He will be fondly remembered by his dear brother-in-law Warren Hanson of Detroit, former sister-in-law Mary Ellen Snyder of Brownstown, Michigan, nephews Kael Hanson (Teresa) of Waunakee, Wisconsin, Steven Jones (Karen Taylor) of Flat Rock, Michigan. Sean Jones (Song) of Taylor,  Michigan and many great-nieces/nephews and cousins in Canada and the United States. He will be missed by his special friends Judy Alexander of Chatham, David Rice (Vernetta) of Dayton, Ohio and John Briggs (Sandy) of Aurora, Ontario. He was very fond of his close cousins Donna, Spencer, David (Aruna) and Philip Alexander of Chatham, Belleville and Windsor.

James was born in Detroit, educated in the Detroit Public Schools and also attended the two room North Buxton Ontario schoolhouse where his Grandfather Arthur Harding Alexander was Principal. He attended Sunday school in Detroit and as an adult attended the First Baptist Church and the BME Church in N.Buxton. As a youth James had varied roles in drama and musical productions in Detroit. After high school James served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Bangor, Maine. He went on to attend the Society of Arts and Crafts School in Detroit where he received a Fine Arts Diploma in 1969. It was here he developed his lifelong love of photography and the arts. While a student there James worked as a part-time tour guide for the Stroh's Brewery Company and has many fond memories of his time there.

James immigrated to Toronto in 1970. Janis and James were united in marriage in 1977. James worked at York University as an audio visual technician and later as a film editor at National Program Services, a film distribution company. In 1977 James attended George Brown College and became a licensed real estate agent in Toronto. In 1980 James and Janis relocated to Chatham, where he later became a Canadian Citizen. James worked as a Documents Clerk for the City of Chatham and as a Micrographics Clerk at Union Gas' Chatham Head Office from where he retired. James traveled to most of the United States and Canadian provinces and enjoyed many pleasurable road trips. James learned to play the piano as a child, taught by his classically trained mother. He especially enjoyed playing the piano later in life. James loved cars and was a serious jazz aficionado. He also enjoyed handwriting analysis, playing tennis, going on photo shoots - always looking for that perfect shot. He spent many enjoyable days at his Shrewsbury cottage in the quiet village by Rondeau Bay. He left behind a legacy of photographic images for his family.

James was a past member of the Toronto Real Estate Board and served on the board of the North Buxton Memorial (formerly Busy Bee) Cemetery Board as President and Past President. He was the camera man on a short colour documentary film entitled "Nuclear Energy Ontario: A Matter of Choice?" This film won the White Owl Award for Conservation. James was an ever present anchor in his family and always available to lend support and advice to his loved ones. He maintained a positive attitude throughout his illness.

In keeping with James' wishes cremation has taken place.

Family and friends will be received at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham on Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. until the Memorial Service to celebrate James life at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial donations in James' memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and would be appreciated by the family.

McKinlay Funeral Homes

459 St. Clair Street

Chatham, Ontario

N7L 3K6