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Sherrlyn Saunders posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Although I only met Jim for a few days when Janet and he joined my sister Karen and I on a visit to Newfoundland, it was so evident what a lovely man he was. I can only begin to imagine what a great loss his passing is to you Janet, and his family and friends. Sincere condolences.
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Kerry Ann Doherty uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, June 23, 2024
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Mr Whitehead was the best teacher I’ve ever had. He was the drama teacher at my high school in Calgary. And the lessons he taught me then are still with me today. Everything you do is good. Every offer you give is worthy. Every risk you make is worthwhile. Can you improve? Always. That smile he had that dared us to risk. The glint in his eye that said “go for it” and “you’re safe” both at the same time. He taught us how to critique but not be critical. How to support each other and how to follow our passions. A lot of very successful people came out of his classes. Whether they went into the Arts (as performers, directors, writers, lighting designers, sound technicians, camera operators) or became Drs, Judges, Teachers, Accountants etc they have all been great at what they do. “Sir” became a mentor and friend to me after graduating. As he did with many. He came to see me perform at the Sudbury Theatre Centre in 2015. We caught up after the show and the following morning I woke up to a message that was reminiscent of the feedback he gave all those years ago. I wept. It was full of the joy and passion and positivity that he always shown me. In this crazy world I had missed it. This past December we got together for lunch. It was a very long lunch. So long we had our spouses worried. We lost track of time talking about the past, the joys of teaching/directing, and our families and mutual friends. Jim Whitehead left us on June 10th. But he will never truly leave us. He always referred to theatre as a sandcastle. That it made him sad as the ocean would leave nothing behind after the show closed. But he forgot about our memories and the impact he had on our minds and hearts. Those sandcastles live on in all of us.
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Lisa Archer posted a condolence
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Dear Janet and Family,
I was so terribly shocked and saddened to see post on Facebook announcing Mr. Whitehead's passing. Mr. Whitehead was my drama teacher in the late 1980's. He was an amazing teacher who valued his students and created a wonderful learning environment. Years later we connected on Facebook and exchanged messages. I am so grateful for the generous messages, birthday wishes and Christmas letters I received. He was an incredible, lovely man and I will miss him terribly.
Rest easy now Jim.
All my love
Lisa Archer
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Susan Deer lit a candle
Friday, June 21, 2024
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I am deeply saddened by the news that Jim Whitehead passed away. My sincerest condolences to his partner and family. He will always be remembered as one of my favourite teachers. Mr. Whitehead inspired his students by giving us constant support, sharing his admiration for theatre, all the while, helping us build confidence in ourselves and encouraging support and respect amongst fellow theatre friends and colleagues.
Susan Deer
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Jim & Gloria posted a symbolic gesture
Thursday, June 20, 2024
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Janet,
Bruce, & Louise;
Our sincerest condolences on the sudden passing of your loving Partner, and Brother.
Jim was always a lot of fun. We have great memories of him at the Tiki Bar telling wonderful stories, and discovering that he & Gloria shared some of the same Theatre greats from their common John Abbott days.
He will be missed,
Jim & Gloria B
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Jenn (Conlin) Slipak lit a candle
Thursday, June 20, 2024
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Sending my condolences to all of Jim’s family and friends. He was my highschool drama teacher in the 90’s. Jim was one of a kind. He was an incredible teacher who always took the time to really listen to his students and create spaces where we felt safe, included and seen. Thank you Jim/ Mr. Whitehead, for all of the laughs, lessons and for the memories of taking part in shows that will last a lifetime. You instilled a love of theatre that I have passed on to my own children. The way you created community in your classes and with your shows, has been a huge influence on how I work with my own students today. Thank you for the yearly birthday wishes all these years later- it is a testament to your genuine character that you continued to care long after your students left your classes. Your positive impact has been so far reaching. You made a difference. You will be missed . Sending so much love to all of your loved ones.
J
Jackie Van Breda lit a candle
Thursday, June 20, 2024
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I met Jim Whitehead in July 1984 on a Contiki tour to Europe. On the evening of our day in Florence, Italy, our group headed out to a huge ‘discotheque’. The ladies had been forewarned not to make eye contact with Italian men, who were infamous for giving foreigners a good time on the dance floor. According to Jim’s memoirs, we eventually pleaded with the guys who had accompanied us to pretend to be our boyfriends and to join us on the dance floor. That evening, Jim and I claimed Van Halen’s song ‘Jump!’ as our forever song. We had so much fun jumping every time the song was played.
My hand luggage was stolen on the last day of the tour. I lost my journal and the contact addresses and telephone numbers of friends I had made on the tour. Jim phoned my family home a few weeks after we all got home. I was out for the evening and my father neglected to take Jim’s number.
Years went by and I never forgot the guy who had made an indelible impression in a few short hours. I found Jim’s Facebook profile a few years back but thought he had probably forgotten me, so I never made contact. To my surprise, in 2020, I received a message from Jim on Facebook Messenger inquiring whether I was the South African blonde who had danced with him in Florence on the 1984 Contiki trip.
From then on, Jim and I exchanged e-mails and messages, updating each other on our lives over the past 36 years. He phoned me once and we had a long chat. I had long forgotten his voice, but now I never will. Since we were reunited, Jim has advised, counselled, encouraged, inspired and supported me with his endearing wisdom. His unique sense of humour, perceptiveness and intuition were treasured attributes. The affection, kindness and positive impact Jim had on his students, work colleagues, family and friends were always evident, irrespective of their age and life circumstances. He was highly respected, appreciated for his investment of time, effort and engagement in the lives of everyone he knew. Jim always affirmed the presence of people in his life, thanking them for the myriad of blessings they brought.
It is a privilege to have known Jim Whitehead, a truly remarkable man, and to call him my friend. He will transcend time and space. Jim, may your light protect, inspire and guide me for ever more. May you encounter everlasting joy on your journey. I trust that our paths will cross again and that we will continue to ‘jump’ for infinity. Thank you for everything and for being a person who will always be larger than life itself. I shall never forget you.
‘One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.’ - Buddha
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Karen McDonald lit a candle
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
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It was a pleasure to spend time with him and Janet in Newfoundland. I’m sure he will be missed by many folks who knew him. So sorry for your loss.
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Erin Robb lit a candle
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
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Jim, your passion for theatre and dedication to your students have stayed with me throughout my life. As a teacher, I’ve always taken inspiration from you, whether it’s your genuine caring for those around you or your great sense of humour (or your cool, matching socks).
Thank you for being such an amazing person: teacher, friend, role model. You’ve always been and always will be “a hit, a very palpable hit.”
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Sonja Cudmore lit a candle
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
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Thinking of family and friends. Mr. Whitehead was my drama teacher throughout my high school career. We stayed in touch throughout the years. He created teams and friendships. Students wanted to attend his classes as they were engaging and he lead with kindness. When I was out of line all he had to do was give me the look and I was quickly back on task. Thanks for teaching life lessons Mr. W.
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Lou Battista and Marta Ortega lit a candle
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
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Our deepest condolences to Jims family and to Janet.Jim was definitely a special man with a knack of making you feel at ease. I enjoyed he’s many conversations when we would meet.
He will be deeply missed and Crystal Beach has lost a great friend.
Once again Marta and I offer our condolences and we love you Janet.
God bless.
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Elizabeth Carter Valley lit a candle
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
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There are no words that can describe the loss I feel,just like everyone that Jim knew is feeling right now. He was a great friend and will be truly missed. I will miss his jokes and that quirky smile on his after he told them. Our condolences to Janet and all of Jim's family. Liz and Dave Valley
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Karen uploaded photo(s)
Monday, June 17, 2024
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I firmly believe that people come into our lives for a reason. Jim Whitehead came into mine in 1984 when I had just moved across the country and was a new student in a highschool where I knew nobody but my sister. Our family was struggling with the devastating breast cancer diagnosis my mom had received that month and I was miserable. An intuitive and kindly soul, Mr. Whitey O’Head - my drama teacher - went out of his way to make me feel included and part of a team. His drama classes and theatre productions over the next two years reignited my love of performing and helped me to escape my sorrow over our Mom’s diagnosis. For the next 30 years he was always there when I needed a friend (or help on an English essay) and he was that way for sooo many other former students as well. We have lost this wonderful soul too soon. Thank you Jim … for being my teacher and my friend. To quote from the book you introduced me to “And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince. Rest in Peace Sir - I am not just content to have known you, I am blessed. Your friend forever, Gumby. My heart goes out to all of Jim’s family and friends and to his beloved Janet most of all.
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Elli MacDonald lit a candle
Monday, June 17, 2024
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Peter Rumpel posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2024
Aside from my family he is the most significant person to have a lasting influence on who I am. His philosophy of trusting his students to explore and to be right there with a sense of wonder beside them produced the most intensely creative group I know. People I’m still in regular touch with. People who learned to be better citizens. People who create unique art, are community arts leaders, Emmy winners, artistic directors, teachers and successful artists who continue to spread his message of trust and community. He taught us the story of the sandcastle and how we can, together make a beautiful world but that regardless it is always temporary.
The tide has come far too soon for Jim, Sir, Mr. Whitehead. His influence is as vast as the and deep as the ocean.
We will miss you.
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Sandra Jenkins-Miller posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2024
I would like to say, that Jim was a wonderful human being. He always sent the most heartfelt birthday wishes. I truly appreciated them. He had a great way with words. Thank you Jim. My sincere condolences to your family. God Bless.
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The family of James Duncan Whitehead uploaded a photo
Monday, June 17, 2024
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