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A. James Black
March 29, 1932 - March 22, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">Jim Black passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 22, 2016 surrounded by family. <br />He will be missed greatly by his loving and supportive wife of 56 years, Helen; sons Alec (Erin) and Robert (Sara); grandchildren Aiden,Tessa, Willa and Eleanor and countless extended family and friends. He cherished spending time with his family and could always keep friends and family smiling with his keen wit and amazing sense of humor. <br /> <br />Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jim left school at an early age to help support his family. Emigrating to Canada at 18 he made his way to Calgary where he met Helen while both working at Calgary Power. She encouraged and supported him to finish his high school education, undergraduate and post graduate degrees. Jim completed his PhD in 1964 at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-Upon-Avon (University of Birmingham). <br /> <br />Professor Black spent his whole academic career at the University of Calgary where he filled many roles for the Department of English including department head. He was a passionate teacher who loved the classroom and his students. <br /> <br />After retiring in 1997 he continued to teach, lecture and write courses for Universities, Colleges and Festivals. A particular favourite being the Oregon Shakespeare Festival where he lectured for almost 20 consecutive summers. <br /> <br />Jim also had passions outside of work including soccer, from his early years in Canada as a semi-pro player to the years he coached his sons. He was also a fisherman who loved being in his canoe with a great book while taking his &ldquo;worm for a swim&rdquo;. <br /> <br />He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather whose passion for prose and humor deeply touched all those who knew him.</div>