Mr James 'Jim' E. Atto

Sherbrooke, October 2, 2024

Mr James ‘Jim’ E. Atto 1926 – 2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James E. Atto, at the Garce Village, on Wednesday October 2, 2024, at the age of 98 years. He was the son of the late Roy Atto and the late Mary Jane Campbell, dear brother of the late Donald (the late Dorothy), and the late Margerie (the late Don Haseltine) and the loving husband of the late Ruth Elkas.

Jim was born on June 3, 1926, in Sherbrooke. He lived a full and happy life surrounded by lifelong friends and a close family, in a community that he absolutely loved. Jim spent his working career in the construction industry (Williams-Atto Construction) and realized many important projects in the townships (Bishop’s University, Bishop’s College School, Stanstead College, Carnation Sherbrooke, American Biltrite, Ingersoll Rand, Johns Manville-Asbestos…) and abroad. He was a founding member of the Milby Golf Course, President of the Sherbrooke Curling Club, avid fisherman and gardener. Jim was the last vice president of the Sherbrooke Hospital Foundation. As the foundation closed, the foundation donated much needed funds to various English health care institutions as well as allowing Sherbrooke to obtain only the 2^nd ‘Gamma Knife’ in Canada. He wintered in Florida and travelled to many parts of the world with Ruth.

He is survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Emsey Elkas (the late Gay), Gladys Elkas, Sam Elkas (Marlene), Myrna Elkas (Jeff), Steve Elkas (Francoise), his many nephews and nieces, other relatives and many friends.

In 1832, John Atto left England to settle in Lennoxville, since then, there has never been a time when Atto families have not lived here – Jim was the last survivor in the area.

The family will receive condolences on Thursday October 17, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 1:15 PM at the Steve L. Elkas Complex, 4230 Bertrand-Fabi, Sherbrooke, QC, followed by the memorial service in the chapel at 1:30 PM, the Rev. Heather Thomson officiating. The burial will be held at the Elmwood Cemetery.

The memorial service will be available on-line via Funeraweb.TV.

As a memorial tribute, donations to the Grace Village Care Foundation, 1515 Pleasant View, Sherbrooke, QC, J1M 0C6, [email protected], would be appreciated.