Saturday, April 23, 2022
It was with great sadness that I, Lloyd O'Brodovich, (retired West Side District Warden @ Sturgeon Crossing Station, P.A.N.P.) learned of and felt great remorse at Jim's passing. We were of the same cohort of human beings, myself only one year his junior, born in 1943. My wife Kate, and I wish to express our sincere & heartfelt condolences to all immediate & extended of Jim's family.
I greatly regret that I have not enjoyed any chats with Jim for the last 2.5 to 3 years, due to my personal very rigid adherence to Covid 19 protective protocols, and relative isolation, due to the fact that I am of risk age & have secondary health issues relating to bronchial /lung conditions. I adopted a "change my own oil" protocol for my F-150 pickup and Ford Escape to avoid unnecessary social & business contacts!
Jim had a keen interest in wildlife, never missing the opportunity to ask for an update on the free roaming Plains Bison herd, as well as a status report of other park ungulates & their predators. We also shared a passion for the delectable and often elusive species, Stizostedion vitreum, WALLEYE, in the common speech. Jim did know the difference between walleye and pickerel. The grass pickerel, Esox americanus, and chain pickerel, Esox niger, are smaller cousins of Northern Pike, Esox lucius, and are commonly found in a more eastern habitat like Ontario. Most lay persons of biology continue to erroneously refer to walleye as pickerel in Sask. common speech. Jim didn't make that mistake! I do now, and shall miss our friendly chats.
I look forward to being with him in spirit in the great hereafter when I pass on, and the potential of enjoying more chats with your beloved "Gramps".
With true sorrow for your collective loss of a great & wonderful human being, I remain with very fond regards, your friend Lloyd.
