James Richard Wylie died suddenly at his home in Toronto on March 22, 2004. He was 36. Such stark sentences to mark the passing of this exemplary young man whose love of life and determination to live it well marked all who knew him. Jamie was both diabetic from childhood and quadriplegic from a seemingly minor accident in his final year of high school. His desire to get on with his life after his accident saw him graduate from Bathurst High School with Honours in 1986 and from Carleton University with an Honours B.A. in Political Science and Mass Communications in 1992. He worked in the Prime Minister's Office from 1987 to 1995 and with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) in Vancouver from 1995 to 1998. He was working with CCRA in Toronto at the time of his death. Jamie was recently nominated for and awarded a position on the CCRA's Advisory Committee for Disabled Persons. In his life Jamie redefined the word courage. All who knew him would sum up his life with this word: courage, writ large. On a daily basis, Jamie was an inspiration to people he knew, loved and worked with. Facing the obstacles of his physical limitations was something Jamie took in stride and with a great sense of humour. He never gave up or gave in and he never complained. He never faltered in the face of the daily challenges that his health problems provided. In fact, he addressed his daily life in a way that left those around him in awe. This reflection by his sister Jennifer captures some of this: “We spent many evenings having gourmet meals that he would prepare from scratch. He took the time to actually grate parmesan cheese for the pasta, make homemade salad dressing with pressed garlic and real lemon juice that he carefully squeezed himself managing to not get any seeds in it. Watching him doing all of these things was amazing and he enjoyed every single minute of it. The veal picatta, again from scratch, the arugala salad. And no meal was complete without a very good bottle of wine. Several courses later, there would be the specially brewed coffee. He would even insist on cleaning up afterwards. In the background would always be some wonderful music - Josh Groben, Andre Bocelli, various jazz artists with candlelight to capture the right ambiance.” Jamie was a gracious host, an exuberant home chef, a collector of antiques and rare books a lover of a broad range of music, a student of voice and a voyager in the cold months to warmer climes. He especially loved the time that he was able to spend in the summer with his parents at their home on Youghall Beach in Bathurst. From his condominium on King Street West in Toronto, he had ready access to the theatre district and many wonderful restaurants and he was a frequent user of both. Jamie is survived by his father and mother Len and Susan (Ramsey) Wylie of Bathurst, NB, his sister Dr. Jennifer (Dr. Randy) Russell and nephew Zachary of Ottawa, his grandfather Grant Wylie of Shigawake, QC, aunts Audrey Acteson of Shigawake, Winnefred (Chester) Chedore of Sudbury, ON, and uncles Maynard (Jean) Wylie of Toronto, Winston Wylie of Montreal and Charles (Diane) Ramsey of Fredericton as well as many cousins with whom he was close. Jamie was predeceased by his paternal grandmother Ruby Wylie and his maternal grandparents Harold C. Ramsey, Q.C. and Irene Ramsey of Bathurst. Jamie brought a special light into the lives of many. He had innumerable friends from all parts of the country and in all age groups. He loved and was loved. He was admired as he admired others. All who new him learned to treat adversity with determination and grace. He leaves a legacy of inspiration and courage through which his indomitable spirit will live on in the lives of those who new him. The remains will be resting at Elhatton's Funeral Home, 187 St. George St. in Bathurst with visitation on Friday, March 26 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM and on Saturday beginning at Noon. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church on St. Peter's Ave at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 27. A memorial service will be held in Toronto at a later date. For anyone wishing to send tokens of sympathy, Jamie's family asks that anyone who wishes to make a donation should do so to the Canadian Diabetic Association or to a charity of their choice.