We are saddened to announce the passing of James “Jim” David Hornby. Surrounded by the love of his family, Jim died on July 11, 2026 at Toronto General Hospital after a brief illness.

Jim leaves behind his wife, Mary-Anne, with whom he would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this August; his children, Christopher (Amanda) and Sarah (Kyle); granddaughters Alice and Danielle; brother-in-law, Marc; and nieces, Corinne and Alison. He was predeceased by his eldest son, Jonathan; his sister, Pamela; his parents, Olive and Albert; and his son-in-law, Ryan.

Born in South Shields, England, Jim immigrated to Canada with his parents and sister in 1964. Settling into Oakville as a teenager, he was quick to insist on trading the short trousers, knee-high socks, and polished brogues of his English childhood for the blue jeans of his Canadian peers – the first of many ways Jim embraced his new country. Though England always held a special place in his heart, Oakville quickly became home and remained so for most of his life.

Jim attended White Oaks Secondary School, making lifelong friends, before continuing at McMaster University. After backpacking his way through Europe – a journey that sparked a lifelong love of travel – Jim began his career at Imperial Life in Toronto where his analytical mind and aptitude for mathematics laid the foundation for a career spanning four decades. He later joined Mercer, spent several years in Calgary, and ultimately returned to Toronto finishing his career with TD Bank.

Above all else, Jim cherished his family. He and Mary-Anne shared a close relationship with his sister, Pamela, and her husband, Marc, and together they raised their families alongside one another. Not a birthday, holiday, or milestone went uncelebrated, with uncles, aunts, grandparents, and cousins all together to share in life’s special moments. Summer holidays spent lakeside in Haliburton were an especially treasured tradition.

Jim loved to laugh. He had a great sense of humour and always seemed to have a witty joke or playful prank up his sleeve. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of history and geography, with a remarkable ability to recall dates and details. He was a tough competitor at trivia and Jeopardy! and many evenings were spent around the table testing our knowledge against him. He was naturally curious about new places and loved travelling near and far, with special fondness for France, Quebec, Mexico, the Canadian Rockies, and Atlantic Canada.

Music was woven into the fabric of Jim’s life. A good song was never far from earshot and his eclectic tastes ranged from Richard Thompson, the Hip, Nils Lofgren, Bruce Cockburn, and Warren Zevon to Celtic and English folk and modern favourites. He loved an epic guitar solo, with Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd being the all-time best, of course. Jim enjoyed playing the guitar too, and many weekend mornings unfolded to the backdrop of his voice and strumming. He was also a devoted football (soccer) fan, faithfully supporting the underdog team, Sunderland, through the years.

Jim was a great man, a proud father, and “the very best grandpa in the whole wide world”. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

We are forever grateful for the exceptional care provided by the nurses and doctors at OTMH’s Emergency Room and ICU and Toronto General Hospital’s Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit, as well as Ornge.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honour Jim’s memory are encouraged to donate blood, if they are able, or make a donation to Canadian Blood Services.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim’s life at The Studio at Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Road East in Oakville on Sunday, August 23, 2026 from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm.