Obituary of James Morton

Morton, James Wesley, 1973-2021. My beloved husband James died peacefully at home at the age of 48 on September 24^th 2021. Being by his side during his transition from life to beyond was an honour and privilege. Life may end, but love does not.

James is a deeply loved husband, step- father, son, brother and a friend to many. He was an adventurer, martial artist, gun enthusiast, survivalist and super-hero.
Growing up, James always wanted a job with a purpose where he felt he could make a difference for others. After his time in the Canadian Military Armed Forces in his early twenties, James spent many years working in the Paramedic and Police Services fields in York Region. James has had the privilege to work in various police specialty units and be part of special projects. With more than a dozen recognitions, commendations and awards, he was never one to boast about his accomplishments, but his list of accolades is vast. For James, one of his greatest accomplishments did not come by way of profession though, but by way of personal achievement. He was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 12 years.

A humble and thoughtful individual, he would do anything for anyone and any animal. James is an incredibly kind and caring man. He is extremely intelligent and I often referred to him as my walking encyclopedia. He spent his down time reading, meditating, caring for our pets and filling up the bird feeders. His interests were unique, just like him, whether it was doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, going to the shooting range, playing the video game Star Wars, listening to music, or learning about survival and sustainability in all situations of life. You could often find him listening to podcasts by Quirks and Quarks, Jocko Willink, Dan Harris or Joe Rogan to name a few, while reading world news blogs on Zero Hedge. He was a coffee and tea connoisseur and had a great love for ice-cream.  

So many times you read obituaries that say so and so "lost their battle with....."
Although James leaves this world as a result of Glioblastoma Brain Cancer, losing a battle is not how I witnessed his journey. On the contrary, James was a strong, resilient, brave and brilliant man, trying to navigate through one of the most challenging and difficult kinds of cancer that exists, while dealing with massive stroke deficits as well. He persevered and conquered. He did things doctors said he would never do again, including survive beyond their “statistics” and prognosis.

In true James Morton fashion, he did not allow doctors to tell him when he would leave this earth, instead he left when he was ready. He was given 3 months to live back in August 2020 and continued to try to “improvise, adapt and overcome.” He defied the odds. Anyone who knows James, knows he doesn't like to be told what to do and he made that known right to the end. He called it an endearing quality about himself. 

With gratitude, there is deep admiration to James' Personal Support Worker, Lindsay Couture of Oakwood Home Healthcare for her commitment to the Personal Support Worker profession, dedication and friendship to James. Appreciation is also extended to the palliative team that included Dr. Kassirer and palliative nurse Alicia for the care and support they have given James over these last few months. It takes a special kind of person be alongside someone as they begin their transition from this earth and all of these health care professionals are indeed special.

A celebration of life will be held to honor James on Canada’s Brain Cancer Awareness Day, Sunday October 24th, 2021 at DeStefano Funeral Home, Oshawa, Ontario. Check in and exhibit tour at 11 am, with the celebration to follow at noon.

Due to pandemic restrictions please email your name and how you know James to request attendance at jwmcelebrationoflife@gmail.com by October 15th, 2021. Please do not call the funeral home. Your attendance will be confirmed by email. You must be on the guest list to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research at Sunnybrook Hospital in memory of James would be appreciated. We must find a cause and a cure for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer. donate.sunnybrook.ca/tribute

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safelyin a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

"Wow! What a Ride."

Hunter S. Thompson