James A Crooks (Jamie)
Lieut. Cde R.C.N.V.R. (retired)
WWII

Crooks- James Andrew (Jamie) Crooks, died peacefully on April 4, 2014 after a long and happy life. Born of pioneer parents Herbert and Dorothy Crooks in 1922. Jamie is lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife Mabel of 64 years, and by sons Andrew (Doreen) of Calgary, Jim (Suzanne) of Thunder Bay and Malcolm (Deidre) of Winnipeg and daughter Mary of Victoria. Jamie is predeceased by his brothers George of Vancouver and Bill of Alabama, U.S.A. He is fondly remembered by his brother Dr. John Crooks, Thunder Bay and sister Margaret of Burlington. Also lovingly remembered by 6 grandchildren, Christopher and David (Calgary), Sean (Heather) and Jacqueline (Calgary) and Eric and Sheilagh (Winnipeg).



A proud and ardent supporter of his native city, Jamie was educated in Lakehead Schools and the University of Toronto. In his younger more energetic days he served on the Port Arthur Board of Education as President of the Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce (honoured with an Honorary Life Membership), served on the Board of Governors, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Board of Governors, Lakehead University, the Lakehead Harbour Commission, the Advisory Committee of Royal Trust, the President of the Lakehead Pharmaceutical Association, the Retail Merchants Association and a founding member of the Thunder Bay Parking Authority

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In his business career, Jamie was President of J.W. Crooks Co., Ltd., Target Pharmacy and Clinic Pharmacy Associates. He and his brother George were proud to be the third generation of the Crooks family to serve in retail Pharmacy at the Lakehead. The business was sold to Shopper’s Drug Mart in1985, which coincidentally was the 100th Anniversary of the late J.W. Crook’s (Jamie’s grandfather) first year of the practice of Pharmacy in Prince Arthurs Landing.



Jamie was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s United Church and served two years as Chairman of the Official Board. One of Jamie and Mabel’s very special blessings in their 64 years of marriage was their association with St. Paul’s ………a marriage secured by a strong and enduring Christian faith.

In their earlier years, the family spent many happy days sailing the North Shore of Lake Superior and one of their favourite ports of call was Silver Islet where they eventually established their summer home. Many happy years and good friends were enjoyed in this idyllic resort.

Jamie served in the Royal Canadian Navy during W.W.II in Canada’s “Corvette Navy”. He saw service in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean and the English Channel during the Normandy Landing. In June 2005, he was honored to represent the Naval Officer’s Association at the ceremony to mark the 60th Anniversary of the landing on Juno Beach in Normandy.



The family gratefully declines flowers, but please consider memorials to Doctors Without Borders or donations to Philippine Relief.

In accordance with Jamie’s wishes cremation has taken place with inurnment at a later date. A private funeral service will be held at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to the Sargent & Son Funeral Home, 21 N. Court Street. On-line condolences may be made at: www.sargentandson.com.

We will remember him

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