FERGUS – He’s been called a community builder, a smart businessman, a second dad to many, and a true friend.
And the accolades and stories they are hearing are as moving for the family as the sudden death of Jim Dixon, former owner of Dixon Home Hardware in Fergus, who died on Feb. 28 of an apparent heart attack. He was 76.
He leaves behind his wife Sheila; his five children Jennifer, Julie (Hales), Joanne (Conroy), Jeff and Jason; 11 grandchildren and a community of friends and colleagues.
“He and my mom were running errands and went to the cottage (at Belwood Lake) for lunch,” Jennifer said in an interview on March 6.
“They were in the middle of a conversation,” added Jason. “Mom thought he fell asleep, but he was gone.”
Jim Dixon was born and raised in Wellington County and joined the Navy in the 1960s as part of Canada’s peacekeeping force.
There he learned to love travel and boats – passions he carried the rest of his life.
Jim Dixon in his Navy days. Submitted photo
He returned to Centre Wellington when his family members needed his help with their business, Dixon Lumber, a four-generation business that turns 100 next year.
Jim took over from his father Merlin, and the business has grew.
It relocated from Arthur to Fergus and with his sons Jason and Jeff now in charge, it has become the Home Hardware franchise on St. David Street North in Fergus.
“This was his retirement,” said Jason, sitting at his father’s desk in the store.
“He enjoyed being at work. He was still a figurehead around here and people would always drop in to visit.”
Jim also had an active life in the community.
He was a Rotarian, a member of the Legion, he coached lacrosse and hockey, loved to curl, and was a quiet contributor to many causes and community events.
He also had a laugh as big as his heart and could often be found holding court at functions.
“He was a storyteller,” Jason said. “People liked being with him.”
“And his friends were friends for life,” said Jennifer, adding many friends from high school, from the Navy, and from his business community have reached out to the family since his death.
Randy Graham, president of the Fergus Legion, said he became good friends with Jim through their mutual work with the Fergus branch.
Jim was a member for at least 55 years and in 2018 he joined the executive as the veteran services officer.
“He was a good businessman and he brought that to the Legion,” Graham said. “He was so proud when his sons took over the business.”
Graham said Jim was generous with both his time and his money and he was well respected.
“When Jim spoke, people listened,” Graham said. “This is a real loss for the community, but his legacy lives on.”
Rob Galloway, president of the Fergus-Elora Rotary Club, said he came to know Jim through Rotary.
“He was the first to welcome me when I joined and was unbelievably friendly and encouraging to me when I became president,” Galloway said.
“He was dedicated to the community and a bit of an icon. But his legacy is his family. They are fabulous people and he loved them so much.”
The whole family – all 22 of them – at the grand opening of the new Dixon Home Hardware in Fergus in 2010. Submitted photo
Jeff Ostic met Jim when Ostic was 15 and Jim was his lacrosse coach.
Jim hired Ostic to work in the store a few summers and when Ostic returned to his family’s insurance business, Jim became a client.
“The main thing he taught me was to be hardworking, honest, and fair,” Ostic said. “He treated people exceptionally well and always had a smile on his face.
“In his life he touched a lot of people.”
Ostic said he had the honour of presenting Jim with the Paul Harris Fellowship in 1992 – the highest honour a Rotarian can receive.
As nice as he was, Jim could also cut through affectation and see people for who they really were and if they could be trusted.
“Some people will take advantage and Jim taught me this part of business,” Ostic said.
“That’s a great lesson – you want to take people at face value, but need to learn to read people too.”
Jason said the family is still reeling from the shock of Jim’s death.
“He was still driving, still doing things, still had all his faculties,” Jason said. “This has been a shock.”
But eight years ago Jim had heart trouble and was hospitalized.
“He was in intensive care for a bit, so we all prepared for losing him then,” Jason said.
“So we got another eight years, and they were an awesome eight years.”
He added his father “died quietly at his cottage looking at the lake. You can’t be upset with how he went.”
The funeral will be held March 9 at 1pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 325 St. George St. W. in Fergus, with a reception to follow at the Fergus Legion Branch 275.
Memorial donations can be directed to Hospice Wellington, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 275 Building Fund, or Groves Memorial Community Hospital.
