“We will be known forever by the tracks we leave”
-Dakota Tribe
James (Jim) Arthur Streb, 72, died on September 10, 2024, at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital. How can we possibly do justice to Jim’s life in a few lines on a page? The only way is to write about the great loves in Jim’s life.
Jim was born in 1952 in St. Louis, Missouri to Helen (Brisbin) and Victor Streb. As the ‘baby’ of the family, he was doted on by his sisters, Judy (Krause) and Sallye (Hopmann). Sibling love was forever strong between these three and Jim cherished every moment he had with his sisters throughout his life. From a very young age, Jim enjoyed just being outside, roaming the hillsides and waterways around his rural home in Oakville, Missouri with many neighbourhood friends and family. Perhaps this is where Jim learned to stop, look, notice and love the natural world – from the minute to the massive – to take time to soak it all in, and not be rushed.
Jim attended Point Elementary School and then Mehlville High School where he was an excellent student, a member of the swim and the water polo teams and entered school politics to fight for causes and justice – another great love. Along with lifetime friend, Mike Cry, Jim fought the administration for fairness over important issues for high school students, like dress codes and student protests.
Jim married high school sweetheart, Kathy (Steel) and they welcomed their daughter, Michelle into the world beginning his greatest love of all, a father’s love. His winona, Michelle, lit up his face the day she arrived and on the last day he saw her in hospital.
Jim turned his love for cars and their operation, which he learned from his cherished father, Victor, and later passed on to his son, Mackenzie, into his early profession when he joined Western Diesel as a mechanic. Curiosity and hard work earned him Mid West Craftsmen Guild award in 1977, the role of Director of Distributor Trainer of Western Diesel, and later Service Manager at Mikes’ Incorporated.
In January of 1980, Jim, Kathy and Michelle took a brave step to move their lives to Oakville, Ontario, where another love, a love for Canada, began.
Jim joined Harper Diesel as a Trainer and travelled all over Ontario meeting people and passing along his knowledge and love of learning.
Next, Jim returned to school to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Biology at York University. There he met many exceptional people, including Dr. David Logan, who encourage Jim to pursue his love for nature as his Research Assistant. David and Jim shared long hours of research and many shaggy dog stories! Jim’s passion for observation of the natural world, attention to detail and awe were traits he would later share with his daughter, Jordan.
Solving computer problems for the York University community was the next evolution of Jim’s career. Self taught and eager to learn, Jim advanced to become a manager in the Computing Services Department at York U, where the team worked hard but had time to prank, laugh and celebrate their community with dinners, poker nights and parties.
As part of a commitment to the natural world, Jim and dear friend, Todd Kondrat started a side project, SK Reforestation, to help re-plant parts of Northern Ontario that had been clear-cut on behalf of the Ministry of Natural Resources. It was in a tree planting camp just outside Bancroft where Jim met Tracy Kay, the forever love of his life. They later married in 1994 and were side by side until the day Jim died wrapped in her arms.
While at York U, Jim became a union steward for York University Staff Association (YUSA) which deepened his commitment to the union movement and justice for workers. Stewardship led to Bargaining Chair and then being elected as the President of YUSA, a role in which he was honoured to hold for many terms. Every day, Jim left for work with a mission to make the workplace better for the YUSA members and their families. This evolved outside of the York U circle when he was elected to be Vice President, and then President of the Confederation of Canadian Union (CCU), an organization to which he remained dedicated by writing articles for its publication, including his latest, “Democracy is not a Spectator Sport” in August of this year.
In 1997, Jim took a leave of absence from YUSA for his most important role ever – full time dad – when Jordan and then Mackenzie were born. Just like when Michelle came into his life, his love, adoration and commitment to Jordan and Mackenzie were unmatched. Ahead of his time, Jim was often the only father in the room at the Nobleton playgroup and school parent committees. Striving to make the school community an enriched environment was a further love for Jim. Winter festivals, campfires, camping trips, bike rides, hikes, gardening, tree planting and charity fundraisers were all part of that equation. Jordan and Mackenzie were so incredibly fortunate to have had their father play such an active role in their school communities at Montessori Country School, Aurora Montessori and King City Secondary School.
Community was essential to Jim, and he gave of himself by running for local town counsel in 2014, sitting on the King Township Library Board and Pay Equity Advocacy and Legal Services, helping with trail maintenance in the early days of Cold Creek Conservation, joining the Concerned Citizens of King Township and the Nobleton Community group. Jim was always willing to pick up a hammer, shovel, chainsaw for a neighbour or an organization to just get it done. His willingness to help will be forever missed by so many.
Jim has so many people in his life who are important to him. Tracy, Michelle, Jordan and Mackenzie have lost a pillar who has provided so much support and love. Sallye (Jim Hopmann) and Judy have lost a beloved brother. The late, Charlie Robinson, was like a brother to Jim and Jim was forever grateful for the love that he received from the entire Robinson family. The whole Kay family became Jim’s Canadian family bonded with deep ties and love. Jim loved and was adored by his many uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces, and particularly Mike Krause, who was like a little brother to Jim.
Jim, my love, your tracks are deep and meaningful, and we will forever be grateful for the path you have created.
***
A celebration of Jim’s love of life will be held on Saturday October 26, 2024, at Albion Hills Conservation Area, Chalet, 16500 Regional Road 50, Caledon ON from 11:30-3:00 with memories being shared at 12:30. If you have a funny story or memory about Jim to share, please send to jimstreb.memories@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation on behalf of Jim to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at: cpff.ca/donate or the Bruce Trail Conservancy at brucetrail.org/ways-to-give/ or any other charity that is meaningful to you.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Karen McClellan
My deepest condolences to the entire family. May Jim’s memories be a blessing and bring you strength in the days ahead.
Bebee Idems
Tracy, Michelle, Jordan, Mackenzie and the rest of the family, my heartfelt condolences on your tremendous loss. Jim was such a gentle soul. I had the pleasure of working with him at YUSA for all the time he was there. He will be truly missed
Toni Passarelli
Dear Streb Family, My condolences to you and all your loved ones. Jim was a man of great character. His love for family and his sense of community made him so cherished by all. From soccer to summer camp I had the opportunity to see how much Jim loved being involved in the lives of his children. Mackenzie you were one of my favourite soccer and camp kids. I know that you, Jordan and Michelle are the greatest representation of your dad’s legacy. Tracy, you and Jim were admired for your bond and your ability to always be there for your kids and others. I wish you tranquility as you navigate through this profound loss. Rest easy my Friend Jim.
Cedric Knapp
Dear Streb Family, although I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Jim directly, reading through all of the above truly paints an incredible picture of his character, and getting to work with Jordan in the past, and get to know her character, it’s clear how it shines through by proxy.
My deepest condolences Jordan, and to all of the Streb family & friends of Jim going through this difficult period.
Much love,
Cedric
Arlene Hiemstra
Dear Tracy and family
I was very saddened to hear about Jim’s passing. Life is so short but even being retired 16 years remember Jim’s smile and devotion to whatever was the task at hand.
My sincere sympathy.
Arlene
Kate O’Keeffe
Michelle, I only knew your dad through you and from the way you spoke, it is clear he was a truly remarkable person and wonderful father. He certainly left tracks for so many to follow. My sincere condolences to you Tracy, Jordan and Mackenzie.
Kate (Montessori colleague)
Celia Harte
Tracy, to you all of Jim’s family and friends, my condolences. Jim was a union steward, and later chair of bargaining when I was President of YUSA in the late 1980s, and I saw him several years ago when YUSA named some student scholarships after us and a few others, and invited us to meet up at York. I remember meeting you, too, in the early days when you and Jim started seeing each other. So sorry this man filled with so much life has left us, but he’s also left lots of love. May all the good memories bring you and your loved ones some comfort during this time.
warm regards,
Celia
Sharon Chisholm
Dear Tracy and family,
Jim was an inspiring mentor, a devoted supporter of the union members at York, and above all, a fierce defender of the dignity and fairness owed to all Canadian workers.
Jim was always willing to do the hard work – although he could also find the wry humour necessary to keep himself centred and sane.
Please accept my deepest condolences on your profound loss. May Jim’s memory be a blessing and a comfort.
Richard and Patricia Elia
Dear Tracy, Mackenzie and Jordan,
Our condolences on the loss of such a great person in your lives and those of many, many others. We are truly saddened and stunned by your loss.
Take comfort in the many moments you have all shared in such a blessed and brilliant life.
Sheryl Reed
Jim was my brothers best friend from the day they met in kindergarten . Our mothers also became best friends and even shared the same name, Helen. Jim was also a big brother to my siblings and I. His gentle personality shined through his wonderful smile and words of wisdom always welcome at just the right time. My kids and grandkids were so fortunate to know him and even though their time spent with him was limited they thought the world of him! Our hearts are broken for all of you, Tracy, Michelle, Jordan, and Mackenzie, Sallye, Judy and all who were lucky enough to be part of his large circle of family and friends. He will remain in our hearts forever! “Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality.” —Emily Dickinson. …
With sympathy and love,
Sheryl and Tom Reed
Nancy Hopkinson
Sorry we missed the Celebration of Life for Jim. We had a visitor recently who used to live in Nobleton and has moved away. We reminisced about Jim, who was always supportive of environmental issues in Nobleton and King Township. On our Christmas cards, we always talked about getting together for coffee, but time slipped away. I remember learning from a neighbour of yours, Ruta, that Jim liked parsley. Sometimes we had a lot in our garden and we shared some of our produce with Ruta who then shared our parsley with Jim. Alan enjoyed talking with Jim about his days at York U.
We had no idea of Jim’s Dakota heritage until we read the obituary. No wonder Jim was so supportive of environmental issues. We miss his great smile. Thinking of your family especially this .Christmas.
Deborah (Beiter) Turek
Knew Jim well, my condolences to the family. Also want to send condolences for my brother Alan Beiter and my brother Bob who were good childhood friends with Jim when he lived on Heintz Road in Oakville. Many great adventures were spent together exploring through the woods, swinging on ropes, tire swings, and vines in the woods. They also loved catching crawdads in the creeks. Alan passed in 2015, but I’m sure he would have wanted to share memories. They were good buddies. He didn’t forget anything, and later years would laugh about their antics. for the family. ❤️
Diane Legris
Dear Tracy and family,
I am so sorry to hear, belatedly, of Jim’s passing. I would have liked to attend the Celebration of Life to share in the stories and fond memories of Jim’s time at York University and beyond. I was First Vice-President of YUSA for two years when Jim was President and we had some interesting times, including being on bargaining together. I recall when you were pregnant with Jordan, which was not longer after my first son, Daniel, was born in 1996. Jim was such a family man and a very strong believer in standing up for the rights of others. I have thought of him so many times over the years. He was a mentor and a friend and I definitely learned a lot from him. He will surely be missed now that he is no longer with us in body, but will be forever with us in spirit. My sincere condolences as you navigate this difficult time. I hope that you are able to move forward with the knowledge that he lives on through his children and the many lives of the people that he touched.
Warm regards,
Diane Legris