Obituary of James Murray Strum

Age 80, of Ellershouse, passed away Friday, July 19, 2024 at home. Born in Wolfville, he was a son of the late Murray and Geneva (King) Strum.

Jim lived in Wolfville until he moved to Dartmouth and attended Dartmouth High School. He played football and hockey, considering himself a “rink rat” since he spent a lot of time there. Jim attended Halifax Vocational School to become an electrician. He took up rowing and became Vice Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of Nova Scotia. He went to work for Maritime Tel & Tel after graduation and worked there for 10 years. James built a house in Elmsdale and after his divorce, he married Dawna Squires on September 13, 1975 and later became a father on May 14, 1976. He went into construction work and moved to Alberta for a year and then back home to Dartmouth. In 1978, he moved to Falmouth and became a father again in 1980. He decided to go back to school for a year, eventually going to work for NS Power, retiring in August 16, 2003. While his sons grew, he became the local Scout Leader and did camping and car rallies for a number of years with his two boys. After retiring, he moved to Ellershouse and spent 20 years there. He was involved in the community in Ellershouse and enjoyed helping to raise money for them. Jim enjoyed all sports weather participating or watching. He loved fishing and hunting but gave them up after retiring. His great passion became his two fur babies, Tango and Kash; he spent his time taking care of them and making sure they were happy and healthy.

Jim’s oldest son, Andrew remembers building cub cars into customized hot rods which got him more interested in learning more about cars before he could even drive. His Dad taught him how to change oil on their car and van. His Dad would listen to him vent when he needed too and remembered talking to him in the basement at the house in Falmouth, many times. He would help him work through issues and help him understand. He also remembered laughing and carrying on while stacking wood for the winter. They would play catch, his dad teaching him all about baseball, even though he had little interest in baseball. He always encouraged him to try my best even when my best wasn’t very good. He recalls his first sips of beer were after mowing the large lawn in Falmouth. It always made Dad happy when the yard had freshly cut grass and he didn’t have to do it. He also recalls his Dad always taking them both to flat rocks to go swimming as kids.

Jim is survived by his wife, the former Dawna Squires; sons, Andrew (Tamara Brown) and Brennan (Kimberly Thibault); brothers, Nicholas and Thomas Strum; “furry sons”, Tango and Kash.

Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by brothers, Wayne and Stephen.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). The family will receive visitors from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday, July 29 in the funeral home’s Elmcroft Reception Centre. Everyone is welcome to join the family there for a time of remembering, reflection and refreshment. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, PO Box 26331 Stn. BRM B, Toronto, ON M7Y 4R1, 9-Lives Cat Rescue Society, PO Box 125, Falmouth, NS B0P 1L0 or charity of one’s choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca