VENART, DR. JAMES "JIM"
Dr. James “Jim” Venart, loving father and retired professor of mechanical engineering, died suddenly on July 29th, 2015. Born in Hamilton, Ontario on September 28th, 1934 to Joanna (O'Donohue) and Bert Venart. Predeceased by his beloved Bet (Whalen) in 2008 and his daughter Tara.
Father to Joanne, Catherine, Jennifer, Michael, Sarah, Madelaine, and Emily. Grandfather to Catherine, Alec, Taya, Sam, Olive, Alice, and Johanna. Brother to Neil (Sue) Venart and Heather (David) Borjes and a dear friend to Helen Thomas.
After graduating from the University of Toronto, he worked briefly in Temiskaming, Quebec, where he met his loving wife, Bet. After pursuing his Doctorate (Glasgow) began his career at U. of Calgary. In 1973, he moved his family to Fredericton. Here, first as department chair and then as Director of the Fire Science Centre, he led an exceptional research career, publishing widely in international journals for over 25 years. A world authority on the catastrophic explosions of pressurised tanks, a mentor and source of inspiration to his colleagues and students, he led his department to become the excellent research facility it is today and was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus in 1998. He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, and his academic community.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of Armstrong’s Funeral Home, 33 Russell Street, Petitcodiac (506)756-3361, from where visitation will be held on Monday, August 3 from 6 to 9 pm. A private family service will be held at a later date.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, to Amnesty International, Oxfam, or Doctors Without Borders would be appreciated by the family.
On-line condolences are available at: www.armstrongsfh.com.