TONA
Mr. Edward James “Jim” Tona of Rimbey, Alberta entered into eternal rest on Saturday, August 2, 2008 at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Rimbey at the age of 77 years.
Jim was born in Edmonton on December 26, 1930, the eldest child of Peter and Fara Tona. He was raised on the farm in the Rimbey area on the Tona homestead where his grandparents, James and Anna Tona arrived in the Spring of 1906. Jim grew up working with his father on the farm, and as a young man he went into the trucking business. Later, he worked in the mills in the West Country, cutting trees and logging. Jim, who possessed a great passion and respect for the land, began full-time farming in his twenties, and throughout his life was a very successful grain and cattle producer. In 1955, he met the joy of his life, Joyce Hinde from Elnora – a farm gal and a beginning teacher – and they were united in marriage in 1957.
Jim worked side-by-side with many young men of the community who came to work for him, but he never expected them to do work that he, himself, would not do as well. His life was filled with many changes in the management of farming, and he never got excited about what had to be done … you just did it! In later years, when the cattle were no longer kept, Jim worked at Shurgain Feeds in Lacombe. Three years later, he was transferred to Red Deer where he helped to build the new Shurgain Mill there.
Jim was always very proud of his family, and especially his three daughters. He educated two of them in the art of farming and into their individual careers. His daughter, Diane was the apple of his eye, and Jim enjoyed visits with her at Michener Centre where she has lived since 1969. He was also a proud uncle and great uncle. Jim was always ready to lend a helping hand to those who came to him with a farming question, in need of assistance or information. He was a good husband, a caring dad, a brother, and a friend to many.
Jim helped in countless ways in his community and town, as well as lent a helping hand or gave advice to an individual along the way. If one lost their way … Jim would make the lost accountable to his/her greater good in life. Jim was a member of the Rimbey Lions Club for 40 years, the Rimbey Knights of Columbus for 22 years, and a member of the Fish and Game Association – helping to build the Open Creek Dam for fishing and recreation. He was also 24 years in the Rural Electric Association for Blindman Valley, and an active member of St. Margaret’s Catholic Parish.
Jim and Joyce spent many summers in B.C. fishing at Campbell River, and they traveled to Hawaii, Thailand, areas in the United States, and many holidays in Nevada. His trip of a lifetime was in February of 2008, when they cruised through the Panama Canal on the biggest luxury liner.
Jim’s family have precious memories of his love, guidance and patience – his wife, Joyce of 51 years in marriage; his daughters, Donna (Lyndon) O’Reilly of Leduc; Diane Tona of Michener Centre, Red Deer; and Cindy (Rayal) Hamel of Peace River; his brother, Bruce (Lucille) Tona of Rimbey; and his sisters, Goldie (Lorne) Tupper of Edmonton; and Marylin (Eugene) Kuzub of Sherwood Park. Many memories of Uncle Jim will be cherished by five nephews, four nieces, two grand nephews, and one grand niece. Jim and his brother, Bruce worked their farms together since 1965, and both farms are being carried on by the farming nephews, Derek and Darren … much to their Uncle’s joy. He also leaves special memories with his brother-in-law, Joseph (Carollyne) Hinde of Calgary. Jim was predeceased by his father and mother, Peter and Fara Tona, in 1992 and 1996 respectively; his baby brother, Kenneth in 1933; and his sister-in-law, Donna Hinde in 1995.
“Jim’s life was truly a fruitful and plentiful harvest, and so we pray,
Blessed are those who have died in the Lord,
let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.”
Relatives and Friends were invited to a Prayer Vigil which was held at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, Rimbey on Friday, August 8, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church, Rimbey on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Father Victor Eze and the Reverend Father Peter Sharpe, Concelebrants. Interment followed in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Bluffton. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Jim’s Memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Hospital Replacement Fundraising Project ~ Patient Comforts, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0; or to the Lions Clubs International SightFirst II Project, c/o Rimbey Lions Club, Box 326, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0. Condolences to the Family may also be expressed by e-mail to: special_reflections@telusplanet.net
Funeral and Burial Arrangements for the
Late Mr. Edward James “Jim” Tona
entrusted to the care of
Oberhammer Funeral Chapels Ltd.
Rimbey, Alberta
Telephone (403) 843-4445