James Emeric Hubay

Jim Hubay (1930–2022)

With great love we said goodbye to Jim Hubay on April 21, 2022, in Peterborough, Ontario. It was sudden, but at the fine old age of ninety-one, not unexpected. A vibrant and genuine man, Jim had a smile for everyone he met.

Jim was born on September 27th, 1930, in Mád, Hungary, a small farming community. As a young boy he developed what would become a lifelong passion for nature and the outdoors. He and his brother Leslie spent time in the woods gathering wild mushrooms, helping in the vineyard, and enjoying campfires with family. At age seven, he and nine-year-old Leslie travelled to Canada by train and boat to join his father, mother, and sister, who had emigrated from Hungary to Canada a few years earlier. Jim spent his youth in Montreal where, as a teenager, he met the love of his life, Violet Lambert and they began to build a beautiful life together. 

In 1948, Jim started working at Bell Canada, retiring 35 years later. Jim and Vi were married in 1952, and over their seventy years together lived in Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Kelowna, Ottawa and Peterborough. Through their life, Jim and Vi used their natural strengths in complementary ways to be supportive partners to one another. Jim often said that Vi’s encouragement and support at home allowed him to pursue his community interests. They were passionate about providing a nurturing home life for their children, while contributing to the community spirit of the towns they called home. Travelling extensively throughout the world, Jim and Vi appreciated the cultural diversity of each destination, with a particular interest in art and history. During retirement, they hit the road in a fifth wheel trailer and with their cat Josh, toured Canada, the United States and Mexico, logging more than 300,000 km in travel.

When it came to community, Jim was motivated to get things done, such as:

-pioneering minor soccer in Rosemere, Québec

-holding executive positions on provincial and national Soccer Associations

-being an Assistant Director of the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games

-volunteering at World Cup events in Canada, and 

-authoring the book, The Development of Youth Soccer 1950 to 1981.

Acknowledgements for his contributions to soccer in Canada include being decorated with a Centennial Medal of Quebec Soccer, a commemorative plaque installed at Charbonneau Park in Rosemere, and being inducted into Canada’s and Quebec’s Soccer Halls of Fame.

Jim loved to downhill ski, fish, canoe, and swim. While living in Kelowna, Jim competed in many B.C. Seniors and B.C. Masters swimming events. Between 2000 and 2004, he won ten bronze, nineteen silver, and nine gold medals for his efforts. Jim was incredibly happy that he was able to ski with each of his grandchildren and continued to downhill ski into his late eighties. Very passionate about democracy in Canada, Jim participated in national and regional politics as a returning officer, municipal committee member and a nomination candidate for the Liberal Party in Kelowna.

 Jim is reunited with his parents, Imre and Zsuzso, and his siblings, brother Leslie and sisters Julie and Joan. Left to share his stories are his beloved wife, Vi, his daughters Susan (Hugh), Jean (Eric), and his son Jim (Catherine). He will be missed by his grandchildren Michelle, Nikki, Samantha, Kurt, James, and Anna (and their partners), great grandchildren Silas and Dylan and his nephew and nieces. 

Jim treasured his family and holds a special place in the hearts of so many.

The family is grateful for the warm connections Jim made with friends and staff at Summit Terrace and for the care he received from the staff at the Emergency and Urgent Care at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

A small private gathering will be held to honour Jim’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Emergency and Urgent Care, Peterborough Regional Hospital Foundation, or a charity of your choice.