A man of quiet brilliance, Jim touched everyone he met with his gentle wit and genuine interest in their lives. Jim was employed for nearly 40 years at Financial Models Company, absorbed several years ago by SS&C Technologies. He was one of the original authors of PACER, one of the industry’s first portfolio management systems, and remained involved in its development until very recently. Jim expected nothing from others, be they close friends, family, or complete strangers, other than the chance to share in their presence in whatever form that took. He magnified and returned whatever offering was made to him in these encounters. He was happy just to be in their company, discussing one of his innumerable interests, ranging from history to science to politics to sport or something as simple as how the rain had affected the woods for the dog walk in the morning. Jim's most stunning quality, however, was the immeasurable strength he revealed in the last months of his life as he responded to the ravages of the disease that had descended upon him. He drew from his enduringly calm center, his eternal hopefulness and belief in the natural process of life and his place in it. This ensured that regardless of the events of the day, he remained fully present and fully alive. An innately loving man, Jim embraced every activity fully, especially his relationships. The greatest example of this was Jim's love for his wife, Carol, whom he adored and shared his life with for all too short a time. Jim also leaves to carry his memory forward, his stepsons Jeremy and Mark, his sisters Joanne (Bill), and Patty (Paul) as well as nieces Christina and Lisa, nephews Jeff, Marc and Mike and, several great-nieces and great-nephews. Jim will be greatly missed by Carol's siblings, sister Lyn (Sherman), brother Brian (Dale) and their children and grandchildren. Though Jim had no birth family brother, he had a brother for 40 years in his dearest friend Rick Sands who shared his birthday with Jim's day of passing yesterday. A Celebration of the Life of Jim Pickard will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 5-8 p.m. at The Old Mill, 21 Old Mill Road, in the Guildhall Room. There will be some words spoken and reflections shared at approximately 6 p.m. For those who wish, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the Princess Margaret Foundation or to the Bruce Trail Association.