BRUTON, James Gordon

It is with profound love and deep admiration that I announce that James Gordon Bruton, BA, MA, PhD passed away at Headwaters Healthcare Centre in Orangeville, Ontario on June 7, 2026. Born to Gordon John and Edith May (Southern) Bruton on January 22, 1948 in Sarnia, Ontario. Known as Beetle, Sparks, JB, and Jimmy he grew up in Corunna, Ontario surrounded by family and friends. Sparks was the original keyboard player for the Toronto band Max Webster. He, Kim Mitchell, and Gary McCracken started playing together as teenagers. His music sustained him but he had other paths to pursue. Leaving the rock and roll life he attended the University of Windsor to earn a BA then a MA. Moving to Vancouver he completed his academic education by earning his PhD in political science at the University of British Columbia. He taught Political Science at Simon Fraser University for years while working as a consultant at BC Hydro and other companies. He had the privilege of working on two Royal Commissions on Electoral Boundaries for British Columbia. Jimmy and Kirsten Helen Gimbert met in 1974 and were married November 5, 1977. After 24 years of living in Vancouver they returned to Ontario settling in the country outside Hillsburgh to care for Kirsten’s parents and his mother in Sarnia. The country life, his music, and watching world politics evolve gave both of them a happy peaceful life together. Although his health issues curtailed their life plans, they enjoyed one last trip of a lifetime cruising around South America with his siblings in the winter of 2025. He had a special and loving relationship with his goddaughters Cara, Alexandrea, and Isabella. They always said Uncle Jimmy was the best. Predeceased by his parents, his older brother John Manson Bruton, his sister in law Patricia (Kincaid) Bruton, and Kirsten’s parents Gordon and Shanna (Wright) Gimbert. Survived by his cherished wife, Kirsten; his loving sister Elizabeth, her husband Greg Sutton; their children Lara, her husband Geoffrey, their children Phoebe and Annabel; Adam, his wife, Jane; Paul, his partner Marcus; his loving brother, Robert; his son Jack, wife Cynthia and new little one, Jacob. He will be missed but never forgotten by many family and friends especially those in the music world. The loving support from his family, best Hillsburgh friend, Sal, ‘sisters’ Helen and Wendy will help Kirsten through this sad time. As per his wishes he has been cremated. Internment at Huxley Cemetery, 5982 Trafalgar Road, Hillsburgh will be at a later date. Donations to the charity of your choice would be appreciated but not expected. Remember what a kind and talented soul Jimmy was. Do unto others with kindness and laughter as he always did. Arrangements entrusted to Dods and McNair, Orangeville.