We are saddened with the loss of longstanding Antique Car Club of Pembroke member Jim Rolfe, whose passing came after a year of health issues. Jim’s approach to his illness was typical of the way he lived – prepared, pragmatic and punctual. During this time he calmly kept us posted with his treatment regime and held out hope, as we all did, for recovery and a return to enjoying life.
In the life of the car club, the vehicles that he and Muriel toured with, the 1966 Dodge Transit Van and more recently the 1953 Military Jeep M-38A1 with matching trailer, were examples of professional research and restoration reflecting his military career. It was a calculated decision they made, to sell off the vehicles including the Dodge motor home, as Jim didn’t want to leave this sort of business unattended should he not be able to manage in future. His plan was to find a mint Volkswagen with which they could turn the key and tour. In his words, there’d be no more restoration projects and more touring.
Jim took pride in organizing club tours and events. These were always done with planning and precision giving rise to the phrase “it’s tail lights” for anyone who wasn’t there on time. Jim also submitted articles to Old Autos that kept others in the hobby apprised of ACCP happenings.
Jim was a team player and a team spirit builder. On our 2009 Victoria Day Tour, Jim and Muriel turned out for the send off on a crisp sunny May morning. Jim had just undergone surgery days before. They joined in on our autumn Calumet Island Tour, enjoying dinner at Auberge Mont Blanc and at the Christmas Banquet Jim found the meal, the music and the acoustics just right. With Jim’s sensitivity to noise levels, that was quite an endorsement!
We’re proud that Jim was one of our members. We can take certain solace knowing that the camaraderie of our club family and our activities were an integral part of Jim’s life, especially so in these latter months and days.
In the life of the car club, the vehicles that he and Muriel toured with, the 1966 Dodge Transit Van and more recently the 1953 Military Jeep M-38A1 with matching trailer, were examples of professional research and restoration reflecting his military career. It was a calculated decision they made, to sell off the vehicles including the Dodge motor home, as Jim didn’t want to leave this sort of business unattended should he not be able to manage in future. His plan was to find a mint Volkswagen with which they could turn the key and tour. In his words, there’d be no more restoration projects and more touring.
Jim took pride in organizing club tours and events. These were always done with planning and precision giving rise to the phrase “it’s tail lights” for anyone who wasn’t there on time. Jim also submitted articles to Old Autos that kept others in the hobby apprised of ACCP happenings.
Jim was a team player and a team spirit builder. On our 2009 Victoria Day Tour, Jim and Muriel turned out for the send off on a crisp sunny May morning. Jim had just undergone surgery days before. They joined in on our autumn Calumet Island Tour, enjoying dinner at Auberge Mont Blanc and at the Christmas Banquet Jim found the meal, the music and the acoustics just right. With Jim’s sensitivity to noise levels, that was quite an endorsement!
We’re proud that Jim was one of our members. We can take certain solace knowing that the camaraderie of our club family and our activities were an integral part of Jim’s life, especially so in these latter months and days.
To celebrate Jim's life, a memorial visitation will be held from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday February 27th at the Murphy Funeral Home, 296 Isabella Street, Pembroke ON.
