James Tilly
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of James Frederick Tilly, a cherished husband who was deeply loved by all who knew him. James passed away peacefully on Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at the St. Boniface Hospital Palliative Care ward with his wife by his side. He was 66 years old.
Left to mourn is his wife Janice Tilly, two stepsons, Josh Kostelnyk (Hannah Thompson) and Jordan Kostelynk. Also, his sister, Eleza King (Trevor), nieces Alyssa Toews (great-nephew Owen Niessen) and Megan Toews (Darryl Parks), nephew Jordan Toews (Norimi Sakaki), and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. James was predeceased by his father Heinz Tilly and mother Anna Tafovic.
James was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba where he lived and attended school. He often reminisced about how he enjoyed his childhood stays on the farm in Grunthal with his grandparents and had fond memories of his time with them. After holding a variety of jobs, James decided to go to university where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology from Winnipeg Bible College in April 1989. After graduation he moved to British Columbia to live and work with his dad doing construction work building homes and finishing the inside of boats. After several years, he returned to Winnipeg where he started his own contracting business, installing overhead doors for commercial and industrial businesses. If you had met James, you soon discovered that he was a man of many talents, and what he did not know he would research and figure out a solution. I cannot think of much that he could not fix.
James was the one you could turn to when you needed solutions, practical help, thoughtful advice, or simply being there when it mattered most. He had built a life centered on faith, family, and service to others. He loved attending and volunteering at church.
James was strong and had overcome many challenges during a six-year battle with cancer. He was an amazing man whose love, strength, and loyalty had an impact on those around him. Despite the incredible pain he experienced, James never doubted God’s Word and stood on the promises of God. He faced life’s challenges with patience, endurance, and dignity. You never heard him complain about his health, teaching us that true strength is often quiet. Even through difficult seasons, he met life with determination and grace. He reminded us that resilience does not need to be loud to be powerful.
As a husband, he was someone that I could always rely on — the person we turned to for support, reassurance, and quiet strength. His love was dependable and deep. His caring, generosity, and steady presence will never be forgotten. He was known for his strong values and his dry crazy sense of humor. He was a man of deep character and steady faith. He did his best to guide us not only through what he said, but through the way he lived—with honesty, integrity, and loyalty.
He was the center of our world—the person who made us feel protected, who gave advice we did not always want but always needed, and who showed us that love is often quiet, steady, and dependable. He was a source of comfort, encouragement, and unwavering support. He was known for his determination and strong sense of responsibility. No matter what he faced in life, he faced it with patience and quiet strength.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. He was, and always will be, in our hearts. We will miss him beyond words, but we will love him forever.
James’ Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, 20 November 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Springs Church, 725 Lagimodiere, Winnipeg, MB with a luncheon to follow. Interment will take place later with immediate family.
We want to thank all the medical staff at St. Boniface Palliative Care unit, Health Sciences Acute and Subacute units, and Pembina Place Personal Care Home who treated James with such kindness and care during his last few months.
Friends that so wish, memorial donations can be made in James’ memory to Springs Church Build a Future, Pembina Place Personal Care Home, or Cancer Care Manitoba, 1160-675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9.