James Neufeld

James Gilbert Neufeld

With great sadness we announce the sudden passing of James Gilbert Neufeld on Tuesday July 15, 2014 in his home at the age of 49 years.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents Gilbert and Judy of Portage la Prairie; his wife of 19 years Nancy and his buddy “Sam” of Macdonald; and his sister Charleen (Dwayne, Hayden, Kara, Lylah) of Phoenix Arizona.  He is also lovingly remembered by his sister- in- law Pat and Bill Shewfelt and their children Jackie (Matt), Jason (Kayle, Shawn), Drew (Meagan, Ava) and brother- in- law Bruce and Christa Davidson and their children Riley, Ashleigh and Sean; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Jim worked his entire career at the RM of Portage la Prairie.  It was there, that his very good friend, the late Terry Carpenter, taught him the operation of a backhoe and to understand the drainage of the RM.  Both in which Jim excelled in.  Jim always joked that if he could get rid of councilors and rate payers he would have the perfect job. Us that knew him, knew he wasn't joking!  The last few years before his retirement in June, Jim was the Manager of Drainage for the RM.

Jim loved working in his shop, fixing whatever he could find. Usually it was an old garden tractor or lawn mower. He loved the years when his brother-in-law Bruce was farming and he was able to help him whether it was fixing something for him or running equipment.   Gardening was his relaxation and stress reliever, something Nancy never understood because as far as she was concerned it caused stress. He would spend hours weeding and watering.  Jim loved to go camping but only if there was a lake that he could fish in.  He would always be found sitting on the bank in his lawn chair, cooler beside him and a line in the water. It was rare that he didn't come back to the campsite without some fish on the stringer.

Jim made it very clear over the years that he did not want a funeral. He has been laid to rest in the Macdonald Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Jim's memory to the Macdonald Cemetery Fund , Box 39 Macdonald, MB R0H 0S0 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba – Portage Office, 103 Wilkinson Crescent, Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1A7.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com