James (Imre) Sebestyen

James (Imre) Sebestyen passed away at North York General Hospital, surrounded by his family, on the evening of September 18, 2024.

Known to most as Jim or Jimmy, his life journey started in Toronto, where he was born to Ignace and Alice Sebestyen on November 16, 1945.  The third of five children, he was given the opportunity to move to various rural areas to live with several loving foster families.  He landed in Uxbridge as a young boy, and settled in with his final foster parents Kay and Orville Gilhooley, who truly made him part of their family.

At Uxbridge Secondary School he met his forever sweetheart, Marilyn (nee Cooper). They married on September 23, 1967 and built their family in the small town where they met.  Their first daughter, Kathleen, was born in 1968, followed by Cindy (Cynthia) in 1969 and finally Pam (Pamela) in 1977.

Jim provided for his family by working at General Motors, in Oshawa for over 30 years, until his retirement in 2006.  He was affectionately known as “Pit” (short for Pitbull), by his co-workers, a nickname given to him due to his physical build and loyal nature.

Although he came from humble beginnings, Jim built a rich life with his wife and three daughters.  He was a talented handy man, and never declined to help out a friend or neighbour who was in need.    

In his leisure time he loved nothing more than camping with family and friends at Algonquin Park, hunting deer and moose up in Barry’s Bay, going four--wheeling through the bush, visiting the casino, or just spending time with his many friends at Texas Burger, Coffee Time or Tim Horton’s, reading the paper and debating the topic of the day.

Jim never met a stranger.  He made friends easily and was well known in town.

Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP, an atypical form of Parkinson’s) in 2015, for which there is no cure.  He fought fiercely and was finally set free to be with his heavenly family (his biological and foster mother and father, sisters Diane and Julie, and brother Frank), and many friends (both human and canine) who passed before him.

Jim will be greatly missed by Marilyn, his wife of almost 57 years, his daughters Kathleen Sebestyen-Scott (Doug), Cindy Sebestyen, Pamela Sebestyen-Yu (Nelson), his granddaughter Kayleigh Scott (Jay) his grandson Daniel Scott – to whom he was known as “Papa” or “Papariffic”, his brother Joe Sebestyen (Margaret), his nephews John (Caroline) and Joel Sebestyen, and his nephew Brian Cooper (Tammy) and their daughter Corina, as well as countless friends.

Jim’s family cannot thank the staff at Cummer Lodge, Long-term Care facility, enough for the amazing care that they provided to him over the past seven years.  The kindness and love shown to Jim will always be appreciated and never forgotten.  A special thank-you to Carol and Donna, who made him feel like family from the day he arrived.

Visitation will be held at Low & Low Funeral Home, 23, Main Street South, Uxbridge on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm.  Reception to follow.

If desired, donations to the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Society of Canada or the Toronto Humane Society at are appreciated in lieu of flowers.  Friends are invited to share memories and condolences by visiting lowandlow.ca