Obituary of James Neeb

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Jim, our husband, father and Papa on Friday, December 14, 2012 unexpectedly from natural causes. Jim passed away gently and peacefully with his loving wife and children by his side. Beloved husband and best friend of Susan (nee Elliott) for 40 years. Loving father of Sean (Kate) of Toronto and Ryan (Trish) of Ottawa. Adored and adoring Papa of Jasper and Oliver (Ottawa) and Molly and Kieran (Toronto). Son of the late Walter and Agnes Neeb. Predeceased by his brothers Gordon and Verne and sister Hilda Mason. Cherished son-in-law of Bettie Elliott and the late Gordon Elliott. Uncle Jim will be forever loved and remembered by many nieces and nephews. Jim was a prominent and distinguished lawyer in Kitchener for 40 years and had been enjoying his retirement over the past 5 years. Following graduation from Waterloo Lutheran University, Jim attended Osgoode Hall Law School graduating in 1965. In 1967 Jim was called to the bar of Ontario by the Law Society of Upper Canada and was distinguished with the designation of Queen's Counsel by the Province of Ontario in 1981. In 1988 he was designated a specialist in civil litigation by the Law Society of Upper Canada and also practiced matrimonial law. Jim was a trustee of the Waterloo County Law Association in 1993. He served as President from 1996-1997 and past President in 1998. Jim's outstanding legal career was filled with a number of successes. Of note was a ground breaking case he took to the Supreme Court of Canada which created a right to damages for victims of sexual abuse. Following the success of the case, Jim wrote the book, "Civil Action for Childhood Sexual Abuse" which helped others in nations where common law is practiced to follow a similar procedure. Jim was a caring and compassionate father and Papa. As a father, Jim was a friend and mentor; his support was unbiased and unconditional. Jim was always involved in his children's lives, among other things, coaching both t-ball and soccer, and serving as President of the ROW Swim Club. Papa's kindness, warmth and sense of fun will be sorely missed by his grandchildren. It was in "God's country" -- Collingwood and Georgian Bay -- where Jim felt most at peace relaxing, skiing and boating. He was a member of Collingwood Yacht Club and enjoyed many years of sailing and more recently kayaking on Georgian Bay, with the family vacation property in Collingwood as a base. Jim was also a longstanding member of Westmount Golf and Country Club. Throughout their marriage Jim and Susan derived great pleasure travelling, including numerous family vacations and trips abroad alone & with friends. In August Jim and Susan experienced a Baltic Cruise with the highlight for Jim being a 2 day visit to St. Petersburg. Over a two day period, Jim received exceptional care from the compassionate care givers at the ICU at Grand River Hospital. We would like to extend a special thanks to all who cared for him, especially Dr. Chris Hinkewich, and Nurse Natalia Belkovitch. Friends are invited to share their memories of Jim with his family during the visitation at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Friday, December 28th, 2012 from 7-9 pm. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, December 29th at 12 pm. A funeral service and celebration of Jim's life will follow at 1 pm, officiated by the Reverend Dr. Oz Cole Arnal will officiate. Condolences to the family and donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Grand River Hospital Intensive Care Unit, Right To Play, and the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, or the charity of your choice and may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.