Obituary of James Maki

Passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Maple View Nursing Home with his family by his side.  Jim was 93 years of age and married to his beloved wife Jeanette for 71 years, whom he affectionately called in later years, the “Queen of Maki Road”.  He leaves a legacy in his children, Dave Maki (Franca), Don Maki (Nancy), Mark Maki (Wanda), and Jennifer Maki Scornaienchi (Mark).  He loved his 12 grandchildren, Jeremy Maki, Lindsey Onishenko (Pete), Jessica Poirier (Guy), Jamie Neville (Matt), Jeff Maki, Steve Maki (Joanna), Josh Maki (Tara), Craig Maki, Laura Kern (Jason), Lisa Campbell (Sean), Luke Scornaienchi, and Jacob Scornaienchi.  He was a great grandfather of 7:  Camdon, Elijah, Londyn, Andie, Isla, Benjamin, and Miles.

Jim grew up on a farm on Maki Road with his parents, the late Bill and Ena Maki (nee Avery), and his late sister Louise Ironside.  This is where he came to love the land and started a Christmas Tree Farm in 1960 well known as Maki's Tree Farm, shipping out trees to the States as far as Arizona, and still selling trees into his late 80’s.  He also farmed his land and sold hay, still strong enough to lift the bales into his later years.  Carrying on with his entrepreneur spirit, he started a sleigh ride business as well from the early 1990's to the mid 2010’s.  Many a family would love coming to Maki's Sleigh Rides, being taken through the beautiful trails by a horse-drawn sleigh, with a party afterwards at the “Shack”, which he built by hand.  

Jim was a successful, hard-working home builder by trade, developing James Maki Builders, constructing many houses in the east and west end of the city for 35 years.  He built his own house, garages, barns, and many storage buildings on his own property, always keeping busy.  In his spare time, he was an avid curler.  With his wife Jeanette and his friends, he qualified and played in the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in 1975 in Kitchener, Ontario.  He curled into his 80’s and also learned to love playing golf in his early 40’s, playing more in his later years every week with his friends at the old Maplewood Golf Course, whisking around in his golf cart and even getting a “hole-in-one” a few times. He also enjoyed family time spent at his camp at Sunnyside Beach.

Jim's love for the Lord shone through in his time spent volunteering at Christ Church and on the street picketing for the Pro-Life movement.  He was a layperson and involved in the parish council for many years at the church.  He was part of the church band, Diamonds in the Rough, with his good friends. They even took their band to Nashville through a contest of sorts, and got to play on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in the 1990’s. The band would often sing at nursing homes, including singing to his mother at Tendercare.  He taught himself how to play guitar in his late 60’s and had a beautiful country voice that everyone enjoyed.  Jim would later sing to Jeanette and the staff at Maple View Nursing Home when they moved there and always had a tune in his head.  He loved old country and gospel songs and even wrote his own music. 

Friends and family are invited to visit at Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758) on Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at Christ Church (585 Allen's Side Road) on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Raymond Knight officiating. Interment at West Korah Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Christ Church, the Algoma Pregnancy Centre, or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated. The family wishes to thank the staff of Maple View Nursing Home, especially Shauna, Ann Marie, Elizabeth, Denise, Simarjit, and others at the Maple View Twin Lakes community for the wonderful and compassionate care they provided. 

Matthew 11: 28-29: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Psalm 37:23: “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.”