Monday, November 29, 2021
Jim was born in Winnipeg to Tony and Nettie Pratt on January 18th 1947. He grew up in the Weston area and then the west end, living on Lincoln until moving to Valour Rd as a teen, later graduating from Tech Voc.
He was an avid car fan, hobbyist and shadetree mechanic all his life, building and street racing his vehicles. His pride and joy was his AMC International Scout which was known locally as the “Elephant Hunter” which he put a hemi engine in. Later on he moved to muscle cars and had a Plum Crazy Charger and later in life a ‘63 Dodge project which he lovingly restored until he no longer could physically.
He met the love of his life Kathy Raback when she was visiting at the Timers Car Club and married several years later in ‘72 having 2 children, Jeffrey (Kim) and Jennifer (Rob). Living close to both of their grandparents in the west end until moving to Charleswood in ‘83.
He worked as a press operator at Moore from the age of 18 until he retired, after losing his beloved wife Kathy in July 2003, following the birth of his first grandchild Aidan in May ‘03 and then his granddaughter Emily in ‘05.
Falling into failing health after losing Kathy, his sleep apnea got to a point that he had permanent brain deficits and personality changes. His health continued slowly to decline. He eventually passed away in the afternoon of Wednesday November 24th from a series of infections that he finally couldn’t recover from.
