Jim Moore: Legion, fire department stalwart dead at 74

A character of the town.

A man with many names.

A dedicated volunter at Grimsby’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 127.

A 40-year member of Grimsby Fire Department.

Jim Moore was all those things and more, according to his family members and friends.

“People called him Jimmy Sr., Johnny, Springer… he had his nicknames, but Jimmy was Jimmy: a real character,” said his cousin Danny Moore.

As was Jim, Danny was also involved with Grimsby Legion for decades and saw first hand the drive and interest Jim took in making the Legion a strong organization.

Jim also worked 30 years with the Ministry of Transportation.

“He was a guy who was always there when you needed him. He had his way, but if something needed to be done, it got done,” noted Danny.

And that effort was the same with the Grimsby Fire Department, rising to the rank of captain, said Chief MIke Cain.

“Serving for 40 years, he witnessed many changes to the community and the department. Words cannot begin to express the contributions one makes over a 40-year tenure, serving thousands of hours with emergency response,” said Cain.

“He served at a time of the true smoke eater; no breathing apparatus; from when bunker gear resembled more of a raincoat with high boots to a time of the hi-tech gear of today. He served at a time when streets were referenced by landmarks and personalized references, as well as a time of computer-aided dispatch system supported through satellite GPS.”

Cain added that Jim has left a department legacy.

“Capt. Moore’s main contribution has been to set the path for today’s service. He served as a coach and mentor of many of today’s serving officers. The department is better because of him,” said Cain.

Funeral services were held for Jim Moore January 17.