Peter James "Jim" Kirwan of Bassano passed away on Wednesday, July 24 ^th , 2019, after a brief struggle with failing health, at the age of 86 years.  Jim was born in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan on October 30 ^th , 1932, he was the 9 ^th of 10 children to Joseph and Amy Kirwan. He came to Alberta in 1948 to work for Clint Haven at Duck Lake, Alberta.  Jim worked various jobs before settling down in the oil patch for 32 years.  He was a generous man and held high standards for his family and his community, which was evident by the positions he held in Lions, Elks and volunteering where ever he was needed.  Jim coached his boys in baseball and hockey and also coached the women's softball teams.  He was the secretary of the curling club, a volunteer fire fighter and sat on council in Rainbow Lake.  Following his retirement from his paying jobs he stayed committed to his town by sitting as Mayor of Bassano for 12 years then actively participating as a member of the Palliser Economic Partnership board.  Jim and Darlene ran the kitchen at the Golf Course for a couple of years and he in his spare time he made the best golf clubs.  He was predeceased by his parents, 3 brothers, 5 sisters, father and mother-in-law (Ed and Rose Schaffer) and 2 brothers and 2 sisters-in-law.  Jim is survived by his wife of 65 years Lois Darlene.  They have 2 devoted sons, Donald (Joan) of Calgary and Gordon (Donna) of Medicine Hat.  He was also blessed with 6 beautiful grandchildren and 6 exceptional great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sister Teresa Treiber.  Jim had a loving heart, willing to assist anyone who needed a soft place to fall when life got hard.  He was a beautiful person who supported others with a dignified and graceful spirit.  He enriched, inspired and touched the lives of so many people – stayed late to clean the kitchen as it was just something that needed to be done.  His legacy of service and compassion will live on in our hearts forever.  May God bless and keep you Dad, in this urn made especially for you by your son Gord and his wife Donna and the beautiful cross by his granddaughter Mandy.  Until we meet again.  We love you.   Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 30 ^th at 11:00 AM from St. Columba Catholic Church, Bassano.  Rev. Long Vu Celebrant.  Interment at the Bassano Cemetery.

Cremation is entrusted to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks .