Hamilton Fire Department Pensioner's Association

Mike Jackson	Larry Staples	"The Group"	Chuck Wilson	Don Alford
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Last Alarm

Fr James Francis Valk CR HamiltonFire Department Chaplain

April 30, 1938 - July 17, 2023

	Appointed in 1994

		The Congregation of the Resurrection announces the death of Father James Francis Valk, CR on July 17, 2023, of Resurrection Manor, Waterloo, Ontario. He was 85 years old, in his 65th year of religious life and 59th year of ordained priesthood. Fr. Jim is predeceased by his parents William and Madeline (Hanmore) Valk, brother Gerald Valk, and sister-in-law Linda Valk. He is survived and lovingly remembered by his siblings Carol (Allan) Morris, Robert, Mary (Frank) Abram, Patricia (Hans) Engelhardt, sister-in-law Edna Valk, and 12 nieces and nephews. Fr. Jim professed his religious vows in the Congregation on September 8, 1958 and was ordained to the ministerial priesthood on May 29, 1965. He began his ministry as a Catholic educator at St. Jerome's High School, Kitchener. In 1969, Fr. Jim was assigned to the Resurrectionist mission in La Paz, Bolivia. He also served as Director of St. Andrew's School and superintendent of the public school system there. In 1981 Fr. Jim returned to Canada and served as Associate Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, Hamilton. After a year of graduate and renewal studies in Washington, D.C. he served as Pastor of Resurrection Parish, Louisville, Kentucky from 1983-1993 and Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, Hamilton from 1993-2005. In 2005, Fr. Jim retired to Louis Hall at St. Jerome's University and then moved to Resurrection Manor in Waterloo. Fr. Jim served one term as Assistant Provincial Superior and was a member of a number of committees within the Congregation along with serving as House Superior for St. Peter's and St. Jerome's University Religious Houses. Fr. Jim was very involved in the community. During his service in Louisville, Kentucky he acted as President of the Presbyterial Council and Chaplain for Police and Firefighters. Fr. Jim was on the Board of Governors for CCAS in Hamilton and served as Chaplain for the Hamilton Police force for 5 years. He assisted the University Catholic Community (UCC) at St. Jerome's University by conducting weekend masses. A man of deep faith, hope and love Fr. Jim's life of faithful service touched the lives of his students, brother religious, parishioners, and family during his life of dedicated ministry. His enthusiasm, energy and optimistic approach to life were some of his memorable traits. We wish to express our gratitude to The Village of Winston Park Long-term Care for the compassionate care they provided to Fr. Jim over the past months.

 

 

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