May 31, 1943 – May 30, 2025

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Jim at Hospice Renfrew in the early morning hours of May 30, 2025. One day shy of his 82nd birthday with his loving wife, Vera (Sell) by his side. Jim is survived by his brother, Carl and his stepsons, Stephen Jackson and Andrew Jackson. He will be dearly missed by his step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kealie and Kian Brennan are so heartbroken that their beloved grandpa and grandpa G.G. is gone from their life.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Eitle and Catherine Drefke, stepdaughter, Brenda Brennan, brother-in-law, Vern Sell and sister-in-law, Marilyn Sell.

Jim loved hockey and when he was a young boy he played hockey and sometimes scored many goals for his team. When Jim got the opportunity to go to work for Tony Zomers in the building trades he was happy to be able to enhance his carpentry and plumbing skills while also acquiring his plumbing licence.

Jim and Vera purchased the building that had been the Bonnechere Theatre. They remembered when they were kids that they had spent many Saturday afternoons and evenings watching movies in the theatre and they felt a sense of pride to own a small part of Eganville’s history. In 1985, Jim and Vera opened a furniture and appliance store where Jim came to work in the store. He enjoyed doing the deliveries. In one of the stores commercials, it showed Jim driving away from the store and the commentator said “There goes Jimmy with another load of furniture”. That stuck with so many people that when they saw Jim in the Drefke cube van, they would watch and say that phrase. That always made him laugh.

In 2004 they had an opportunity to sell their building. The time was right, as they had planned to travel and wanted to see many parts of the world. They would spend their winters in Florida which they loved after spending some time there over the years. Their travels took them to so many countries. It was hard to pick their favourite, but Ireland, Italy, Hawaii and Alaska to name a few. For Jim, he had two favourite trips, one was a two month “great American road trip” that wadded up to 46 states that they now had visited. The second trip Jim loved most of all was the trip across Canada, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island and the Yukon at a different time. Jim and Vera were very fortunate to have spent 13 winters in their favourite state of Florida. They had so many happy memories being with their “beach buddy” friends. Jim loved to hunt and fish, and each year the gang would charter a fishing boat to go deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico with a lot of fish being caught and then a few fish fries.

The illness took over and it all came to an end, all except the happy memories.

A very special thank you to the Renfrew Hospice. The Renfrew area is truly blessed to have such a wonderful place. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who are so caring and show so much compassion and loving kindness to their patients and to the families. We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to all the friends, family, support workers, Maureen and the medical team that for over six years allowed Jim to remain at home as long as he did. Again, thanks to all of you for such kind and caring support and also a thank you to the staff at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital.

Professional services have been entrusted to the Zohr Family Funeral Home, Eganville. A special thanks to Grady. Honouring Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family gathering will be held.

Those wishing to donate in memory of Jim, please consider Hospice Renfrew.

Tributes, condolences and donations may be made online at www.zohrfuneralhome.com