On Friday, September 27, 2019, James MacAulay died peacefully at the Ottawa General Hospital surrounded by his loving children and devoted wife of 52 years, Janice (Charleson). He leaves his four children Marian (Chris Boehm), Margaret, Brigid (Josh Portner), and James (Julie Haché) and his grandchildren Hannah, Ethan, Zoë, Maeve, and Aaron. He was predeceased by his parents Irene (Tate) and Ambrose McCauley, and his sisters Joan and Betty. He is survived by his brother Jack and sisters Margaret (Peggy), Theresa, Roseanne, and Sally, and many nieces and nephews.
James was born at home on the family farm in Murray Township, Ontario, on October 24, 1940. In those days, there was reluctance to talk to children about how babies came into the world, and his older siblings tell of coming home from school that day, surprised to find a new baby brother swaddled on the warming oven door of the wood stove.
James’ education began in a one-room school house, where he benefited from a remarkable teacher and devoured the boxes of books that arrived each month. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge led him to leave the farm to pursue many interests. His scholarly pursuits took him to the University of Toronto's architecture program, to Carleton University in Ottawa for political science, to Fordham University in New York City on a Canada Council grant for a year’s collaboration with Marshall McLuhan, to Harvard University for independent study, and ultimately to obtaining his Ph D with a specialty in Science Policy from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was at Carleton that James met and fell in love with Janice, and the two married in June 1967. After completing his graduate work, they returned to Ottawa with their first child in 1976 and James began working at the Science Council of Canada where he wrote several important studies. The family’s return to Ottawa also allowed James to satisfy his yen for design and building. He and Janice bought a burned-out house near the canal in Centretown and he transformed it into a very special family home where the children grew up and he and Janice lived for over 40 years.
But it was in the wilderness that James was most at home, and when he and Janice found a rustic boathouse on a lake nearby, with rugged coastlines, acres of woods and open fields, they knew this could be a perfect retreat from their city life. The little boathouse became a gathering place for many of his siblings and their families, and James introduced his children to canoeing, sailing, the pleasure of long walks through the woods, and the thrill of huge bonfires.
Over the years at the lake, James took on many ambitious projects. He was never happier than at the controls of his secondhand backhoe, moving huge rocks to carve a road through the woods, or pulling deadfalls with his ancient tractor. No challenge was too great; the ingenuity he learned on the farm served him well. His solutions were often very creative and they usually worked. He designed and built several unique buildings that would be an enduring legacy for his children and grandchildren.
About ten years ago, James began showing signs of dementia, and it was heartbreaking for family and friends to see his brilliant, analytical mind begin to fail. He was able to stay at home until his very last days thanks to the loving care of his family. As his dementia advanced, James and Janice received invaluable support and services from the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, and from Carefor Ottawa’s Day Away Program, for which they were very grateful. Donations may be made to these organizations in memory of James.
A funeral will take place at Beechwood Cemetery chapel on Thursday, October 3, at 11 a.m., followed by a reception. Visitation at Beechwood on Wednesday, October 2 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Digital Guestbook
Patricia & Tom McCauley
Mary Theresa Lynett
James was a wonderfully kind and loving brother. Our family felt mightily enriched by his presence during our visits with James and his cherished wife Janice. We will miss him dearly!
Jennifer Lynett
I am so saddened by the loss of Uncle Jim. I have many happy childhood memories of summer vacations spent at Bennett Lake and one particular memory when I caught a glimpse of Uncle Jim hiding Easter egg candies in the flower beds at the farm before the kids egg hunt. Uncle Jim was a man of great vision, who could see the potential in a building or a plot of land and had the dedication and commitment to see the project through to the end. Much love to the family in this difficult time,
Jennifer, Peter and Emma
Mike and Violet O’Malley
Dear MacAulay Family,
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to James MacAulay Family. We will remember Jim with much fondness.
Rose Anne Kyer ( nee MacAulay)
I cannot believe that Jim is gone. However, my many memories of him will live on with me forever. My fondest memory of him is as my protector/guardian at the one room schoolhouse we attended. He would appear out of nowhere if it appeared that one of the other students was bothering me, or even looked like they might..Also, he would help me traverse the wire fence we used in the springtime when the stream flooded the path we used for a shortcut on our long walk to and from school each day. Love to you Jim and rest in peace.
Marie Jeanne Godin
Mes très sincères condoléances, James et Julie. C'est une perte importante pour vous tous. Prière de transmettre mes condoléances au reste de la famille.
Mark Forsythe
As a young child I regarded Uncle Jim as an intrepid explorer -- whether he was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or hitchhiking from the US to get back to the family farm at Trenton. (I'm pretty sure his initials J..B.M. are still carved into the barn door.) As an adult, I came to realize how gifted he was as a thinker, and how much he loved his family. His legacy includes those incredible spaces he built in Ottawa and at Bennett Lake. Uncle Jim was a man who inspired. I'm so glad we had a chance to spend a little more time together in recent years. Love to the family. Mark, Cat, Ryan & Devon in B.C.
Nancy Robertson-McAleer
We always looked forward to the annual visits from the MacAuley - Ottawa clan to 'the farm'. Racing around playing together with the cousins and having both Jim and Janice around with their quick smiles, laughter, and exuberant spirits were always so much fun! Their carefree bohemian lifestyle of traveling around in their VW Van and their fun approach to life... they were the essence of cool that I have long admired to this day.
I was so thankful to have spent some time living with Jim, Janice and the kids during my first year of university. During that time I was showered with the kindness and generosity of the family. I grew to really appreciate and look to Uncle Jim for his robust knowledge, advice, and thoughts. I am so grateful that I was enriched by Jim's quick smile and thoughtful intellect. I also feel lucky to have visited with Jim and Janice briefly at their 50th-anniversary party where Jim recognized me as I was departing.. feeling very blessed for that.
Our deepest sympathies for Janice, Marian, Margaret, Brigid, Jamie, and their spouses and the grandkids. Love always, Nancy Robertson -McAleer, Michael, Madison, and Sydney
Annmarie Nicholson
My thoughts are entirely with you and your family during this very difficult time. I remember that dinner at the cottage with your parents all those years ago. Your dad wss a real gentleman. So knowledgeable and interesting. Incredibly gracious and just such a really uniquely special man. Take care. Love to you all.
Bonnie McCauley Bilcox
Sending our love and deepest sympathy to Janice and family..My mother, Jim's Aunt Ruth kept a scrapbook...and I remember as a young child..cutting so carefully the clippings of James' adventure in Africa and the climbing of Mt. Kilimanjaro to placed in the scrapbook that documented all of the accomplishments of note..of the McCauley (which ever we spell it..) family ...as others have mentioned James was the handsome cousin with the great smile...Hold precious your memories during the difficult days ahead...In our thoughts and prayers..
Bonnie & Greg Bilcox
So sorry to hear of JIm’s passing. We will keep all the family in our prayers.