On a beautiful spring day, April 26, 2024, Dr. Masaru James (“Jim”) Tsujita of Fergus, ON passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 89 years. Jim leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Lilly; children: Cameron (Sandra) and Kimberly (George); grandchildren: Jeremy, Casey, Warner, Matthew, Mason, Michaela and Jake; siblings: Jack (Yoko) and Judy (late Harry); as well as many nieces and nephews. Jim was pre-deceased by siblings Mickey, Kaz, Sue, Aya, and Emi.
Jim was born on February 26, 1935 in Whonnock, B.C. In April 1942, his family was evacuated from the Fraser Valley to work as labourers on a sugar beet farm in the Iron Springs/Picture Butte district of Southern Alberta. After completing high school, Jim farmed with his father and brother for 5 years. He went on to graduate from the Olds School of Agriculture in 1956 and earned a BSc. from Utah State University (1962), an MSc. from the University of Alberta (1964) and a PhD. from Ohio State University (1974). Jim spent 30 years teaching – first as an Instructor at the Olds Agricultural College for 10 years prior to receiving his PhD., then for 20 years as a Professor of Horticulture Science at the University of Guelph, retiring in 1995. He was bestowed with the honour of Professor Emeritus/A, University of Guelph.
Jim made friends everywhere he went and was known for his perfectly timed “one-liner” jokes and infectious laugh. Over the years he enjoyed downhill skiing, golfing, hiking, snowshoeing, tai chi and dancing with his beloved Lilly.
The family will receive their friends on Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 12 – 2 p.m. A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held in the chapel at 2 p.m. A reception will follow in the Hart Fellowship Lounge.
As expression of sympathy, Jim requested donations to support the development of the Aboyne Rural Hospice in Wellington County, Ontario: https://aboyneruralhospice.org/support-aboyne-rural-hospice-make-a-difference.html