BOISVERT, Jim
March 26, 1947 – October 12, 2026
Jim passed away peacefully surrounded by his three daughters on October 12, 2026, at the age of 79.
Jim was born in Kirkland Lake to George Boisvert and Ellice Boisvert (nee Collings) in 1947. He sadly lost his father as a young teenager, and was then raised by his mother and grandmother. He shared hilarious stories about the antics of his grandmother’s parrot Paul.
He reflected fondly upon his years in Kirkland Lake as a Junior Ranger, driving around with his friends in the fancy cars of the time, and managing the band Satan and the Saints, which played the high school dances. Jim also played football while attending Northern College.
Jim then met his wife, Terri Boisvert (nee Lemire) of neighbouring Virginia Town. The two married on June 28, 1969. They started their family in Kirkland Lake, before relocating to North Bay.
Jim worked in the mines and for Hydro before beginning his career with the North Bay Police Service in 1972, where he remained until his retirement as a Detective Constable in 2003. During his time with the police service, Jim developed a passion for community policing. Over the years he dedicated his time to many programs, including the Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service (VCARS) and Crime Stoppers. He was also involved in the promotion of the Wandering Persons Registry, and became certified as a breath technician and bomb technician. He was an active member of the Police Association.
Following his retirement, he continued his dedication to the community by educating the next generation of police officers at Canadore College as an instructor.
In his free time, Jim was a dedicated family man. He made sure to instill in the women in his life a strong sense of independence and individuality, and encouraged and recognized everyone’s strengths. The family spent many joyous moments together camping, cottaging and celebrating special occasions. Jim was a fabulous dancer. You could find him tearing up the dance floor at weddings and Christmas parties, with a “twist” contest win under his belt.
Jim was always willing to lend a hand – to neighbours, to friends, and community organizations. In the last decade of his life, Jim found purpose and joy volunteering with BAYSAR (North Bay Air Search and Rescue). In addition to their work assisting police and military with air and ground searches, Jim and the other volunteers were actively involved with Project Lifesaver – a program that helps keep individuals with cognitive disorders who are at risk of wandering safe. Jim was on the executive for the organization, and served as the Project Lifesaver Administrator from its launch in 2020 until 2026 when his own dementia diagnosis prevented him from continuing.
In his retirement, Jim discovered a love for international travel, documenting his journeys through photographs and sharing cherished stories from his experiences abroad.
Jim was best known for his gift of gab. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, and often did. It didn’t matter who you were – Jim treated everyone with kindness, compassion and respect – and never hesitated to share a bad dad joke.
Jim had many close friends, and though he may not have seen them often, he held them close in his heart. He thoroughly enjoyed his catch-up chats with his cousins.
Jim was predeceased by and is now reunited with his loving and beloved wife, Terri; her parents Maj and Anne; her brothers Jim, Paul and Pat; and his mother, father, and stepfather Jack Yates.
He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his daughters Tina, Tracy (Rich), Tiffany (Tyler); his grandchildren Miranda, Odin, and Charlotte; his partner Jeanne and her family; his sisters-in-law; his nephew; and many nieces, cousins, close friends, and countless other people whose lives he touched. His love and guidance will remain with them forever.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the North West Regional Palliative Care Program, the Northeast Cancer Centre, the personal support team at Bayshore, the nurses of ParaMed, Dr. Galbraith, nurse Megan, Sheila, Donna L, and Lakeshore Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacy for their care and kindness this past year.
Family will be receiving friends at Hillside Funeral Services, 362 Airport Road, on Sunday, October 25 from 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 pm for a Celebration of Life. For those unable to attend in person, you are welcome to observe the eulogy live at 2:00 p.m. with the following link.
In lieu of flowers, donations to BAYSAR would be gratefully appreciated by Jim and family.
*Donations for BAYSAR are taken through its umbrella organization, Ontario Search and Rescue Organization (OSARVA). If donating online, please type “for BAYSAR” in the “Send a message” section, then click the “Add a Dedication” button, followed by the “In memory of” button, and add “Jim Boisvert”. OSARVA will total all the donations in memory of Jim and send 90% to BAYSAR in North Bay. Donations can also be made by way of cheque to OSARVA at the Celebration of Life, with BAYSAR written on the memo line.
