Passed away Saturday, November 21, 2020 5 days after his 84th Birthday and was reunited with the love of his life Arlene McAuley (Featherstone) who passed away in December 2013.
Beloved Husband of his late wife Arlene McAuley of Sault Ste Marie. Loving Father of Jana Schmidt (late Ron) of Sault Ste Marie, Victoria "Vicki" Hancock (late Mike) of Kitchener, Greg McAuley (Marley) of Sault Ste Marie. Brother to Del "Dee Dee" Pozzo (Barry) and Elizabeth "Betty" Tucker (Thomas). Proud Grandfather (Papa) of Brandon and Alex (Melany) Schmidt, Kaitlin (Michael) and Brittany (Jacob) Hancock and Collin (Sarah) McAuley. Son of the late Delmar and Pearl McAuley. Jim will also be missed by his nieces and nephew. Friend of Beverley Szatanski.
Jim’s career started in the Family Grocery Store on Peoples Rd, when he was a young boy, here is where he would start to develop his People Skills and Sales Techniques that he would use for the rest of his days. Jim eventually moved on to Cochrane’s Hardware selling the stores wears both in the store and door to door. This would be Jim’s first quotable phrase “I have not had a Pay Cheque since I worked for Cochrane’s”. From here he would go into business with his father in the newly formed McAuley Fuels. After his father’s passing Jim would take over the Fuel Company and expand it into a thriving business which he would eventually sell in the late 1980’s. This was the beginning of Jim never being warm and would often remind everyone; “I have not been warm since I sold McAuley Fuels”.
Always looking to expand his portfolio and life experiences, Jim would go on to be involved in several more business ventures with Friends and Business partners. Such as; McAuley’s Hearth Pool & Patio, A&W, Jimmy’s Malt Shoppe, Munchies Burgers, Huron Broadcasting, Busy Bee Restaurant, Eldorado Restaurant and Stock and Real Estate speculation, just to name a few. One of Jim’s favorite pastimes was Hockey and he became involved with the Soo Greyhounds just prior to their inception into the Ontario Hockey Association (now OHL). Jim played a major role in moving the Greyhounds from the NOHA into the OHA. Jim along with Harry Wolfe and Angelo Bumbacco attended a league meeting and lobbied the other OHA Owners for inception into the League and eventually received league approval for a new expansion Franchise for the start of the 1972 Season. Jim was a permanent fixture at the Greyhound Games right up until the Pandemic ended the 2019 season. Jim held several Board Positions in both the Ontario Hockey League and The Canadian Hockey League as well a past President of the Greyhound Hockey Club.
If not at the Hockey rink, Jim could usually be found either at the YMCA, or having Breakfast meetings with friends and partners at Muio’s in the morning or Luncheon meetings at Ernie’s Coffee Shop or Giovannis restaurant in the afternoon. A long-time Kiwanian and Lifelong dog lover. Jim made many new friends both 2 legged and 4 legged while walking one of his many dogs or friend’s dogs over the years in Bellevue Park. He always had dog biscuit in his pocket for any dog and a friendly “How you doing today?” to all the people in the Park. Jim’s response would always be the same when anyone asked how he was doing with a Hearty “Terrific”.
Jim was a Sault Ste Marie Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. A past Diamond Jubilee Medal Certificate recipient, Kiwanis Legion of Honor award member, a Chamber of Commerce President Award recipient and received the Paul Dalseg Community Achievement award.
Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E. 705-759-2522) on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 from 3 pm until 5 pm and 7 pm and 9 pm. Please call 705-759-2522 to book an appointed time between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm as capacity is limited. Face masks required. A private family service will be held. Rev. Phil Miller officiating. Friends are invited to view the service online starting at 11:00 am on Thursday, November 26, 2020 and can be viewed anytime up to 90 days. Go to www.funeraweb.tv and select Jim's name to view the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions (payable by cheque or on line) to Sault Ste Marie Animal Shelter or Alzheimer Association would be appreciated. Please visit Arthur Funeral Home website obituaries to leave memories and condolences as a keepsake for the family.