James Gordon “Jim” Etherington
1938 – 2024
Unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, James G. Etherington of London, age 85.
Sadly missed by his wife and loving friend Liz (Ferguson) of 62 years, sons Dave (Sue) of St. Catharines and Tim of Peterborough, granddaughter Lydia and grandson Hunter, brother Bill (Barbara) of Toronto and sister-in-law Sylvia of Calgary. Predeceased by brother John, sister Bernice, and parents Archie and Alma Etherington.
A former journalist and retired communications executive, Jim was raised on the family farm near Exeter, Ontario. He was a reporter with the Kingston Whig Standard and the London
Free Press before a career in corporate public relations with Imperial Oil, the Royal Bank and London Life, from which he retired in 1998 as Vice-President of Corporate Affairs.
Jim was a dedicated volunteer in the London community serving as president of Scouts Canada London Region, Orchestra London, the London Chamber of Commerce and the London City Press Club and was a founding director of the London Economic Development Corporation. He also served on the boards of Junior Achievement, the London Community Foundation, the Better Business Bureau, the London Downtown Business Association, the Canadian Club of London and with the Conference Board of Canada.
A graduate of Western, he devoted much of his volunteer time to the University serving 20 years as a member of the board of Governors and Senate and as a director and President of the UWO Alumni Association.
For his volunteer work he was recognized with the Scouts Canada Silver Acorn, the London Chamber of Commerce President’s Award, Western Alumni’s Dr. Ivan Smith Award, the Canada 125 Confederation Medal, and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Visitation on Wednesday, August 28 from 6-8 pm at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James St. at Richmond. A memorial service will be conducted at Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington Street at Dufferin Ave., on Thursday, August 29 at 11 am.
Memorial donations may be directed to Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington Street, London, ON N6A 3P8, or London Symphonia, 100-289 Dufferin Avenue, London, ON N6B 1Z1.