Jim Chapman





It is my very sad duty to inform the membership of the passing of James A. Chapman CMB #2016 of St. Thomas, Ontario on Wednesday, May 27, 2009. St. Thomas was a circus town and saw many circuses including Clyde Beatty [on rails and again on trucks], the huge King Bros. Circus, Biller Bros., the Clyde Bros. indoor show and the big Dailey Bros. 5-ring circus. Jim's earliest memories of these circuses resulted in him building his first model circus in 1:32 scale at the young age of 12. When Jim joined the air force in 1960 he gave it all up. While stationed in many Canadian cities he followed the many circuses that were then showing. In 1972 he saw an advertisement for the CMB in a circus program and immediately joined up and his modeling got off to a fresh start. He attended his first convention in Bangor, Maine in 1972 where he first saw the Wardie-Jay kits that would start him on his way to his 1/4 inch Chapman Bros. Railroad Circus that he has continued to show to this day. During his time with the Canadian Air Force in Germany, Jim and his family followed the numerous European circuses that toured the surrounding countryside. Jim had a collection of binders that he produced in his 12 years in Germany and abroad documenting each show that he attended complete with photos. It is a masterpiece. While there he developed an interest in German Circuses and thus his HO Circus Stern became reality. Jim was always an active member in CMB. He was Lot #7 Manager for 2 terms, Lot #7 Public Relations Director for several years, a member of the CMB Election Committee on two occasions, the Martin J. Downs Ring #18 - Fred Logan Tent #119 President for several terms and the Chairman of the 1992 CMB International held in St. Thomas, Ontario. If there was a show in Ontario or New York State, Jim and the family were there and they also attended a number of National Conventions. Jim was a regular contributor to the Great Britain Bandwagon Notes, the newsletter of the Martin J. Downs Ring #18 - Fred Logan Tent #119 for over 20 years and had several articles in the Little Circus Wagon. Jim was one of the core members of the club. Jim is survived by his wife, Lily, his daughters, Carol and Diana, his grandson, James, who said "Papa left us too soon" and other members of his family. He passed away quietly at home in the arms of his family. He will be interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in London, Ontario. At Jim's request, there will be no service or memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canada Southern Railway Station restoration project in St. Thomas, Ontario. Their website is www.railway.capital.ca . We wish his family well. Jim! We will all miss you.

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