Obituary – James Bentley

    James Bentley
    February 09, 1932 – April 03, 2015

    courtesy of Globe and Mail

    Jim fought off many match points, but finally succumbed, losing a hard fought battle, points in the fifth.

    Passed peacefully with his family by his side throughout. Beloved father of Janis (Gary), Jill (Dennis), Jay (Megan), Jamie (Caro) and Jon (Paula), and beloved grandfather of Morgan, Michael, Geoffrey, Laura, Nicole, Jon, Matthew and Sarah. 

    James Bentley
    February 09, 1932 – April 03, 2015

    courtesy of Globe and Mail

    Jim fought off many match points, but finally succumbed, losing a hard fought battle, points in the fifth.

    Passed peacefully with his family by his side throughout. Beloved father of Janis (Gary), Jill (Dennis), Jay (Megan), Jamie (Caro) and Jon (Paula), and beloved grandfather of Morgan, Michael, Geoffrey, Laura, Nicole, Jon, Matthew and Sarah. 

    Affectionately known as 'Bones', he will be missed by his golfing buddies from Thornhill Golf Club and his many friends from his beloved Toronto Cricket Skating and Curling Club. Jim is survived by his brother Bill of Arbutus Ridge, B. C., where he recently spent some of his happiest times.

    After a very successful amateur tennis career where he played in national championships and participated in Canada's 1953 Davis Cup team, Jim started his professional tennis and squash career in 1960 at the Toronto Cricket Club. He proceeded to put the Cricket Club on the map for junior tennis and squash with the development of the highly respected Tennis Excellence Development (TED) program and with the success in international competition of his junior squash team, better known as 'Bentley Bombers.' In 1971, Jim left the Cricket Club to co-found the Cambridge Club, one of Toronto's most prestigious downtown men's fitness clubs. His legacy will always be remembered through the annual Cambridge Jim Bentley Cup, honouring top-level squash doubles competition. In his retirement years since 1991, Jim enjoyed playing golf, tennis and squash but sadly had to give them up in recent years. Jim still loved to mentor his family and friends whenever he was asked, and often could be found lunching and socializing at the Cricket Club. Jim loved visiting his sons at their cottages, watching them fish, reading and relaxing.

    Jim's dedication to excellence, achieving one's personal best and his competitive spirit helped him defy the odds, following his diagnosis of Wegners Granulomatosis in 2006. He fought courageously to the end. The family would like to deeply thank Dr. Rachel Shupak, his 'quarterback' of care for these past 9 years and the caring team of doctors and nurses in the Palliative Care Unit at St. Michaels Hospital.

    Private family arrangements have been held. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Toronto Cricket Club, Wednesday, April 8, 2015, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Memories from family and friends will commence at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St Michaels Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.