Jim (James) Boccioletti. A Pillar. A Legacy.
Some days at the GPRHF are a mix of emotions and Thursday, September 9th was one of those days. On February 12th, 2020, the community of Grande Prairie lost a pillar of our region, Jim Boccioletti. His passing was a shock to all of us who knew him and a huge loss to his family.
On Sept. 9, 2021, Dawn Veilleux-Miller, Major Gifts Officer with our Foundation, had the honour of meeting Jim’s gorgeous wife, MaryHelen, as she presented the Foundation with a cheque in the amount of $100,000.00 from the estate of her beloved James Boccioletti.
presents Dawn with Jim’s cheque for the Foundation. Location: Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.
This amazing gift of Jim’s is being used to create the “James Boccioletti Donor Wall” to be located in the main foyer of the Grande Prarie Regional Hospital (GPRH).
Jim was an avid philanthropist, spending his life supporting his community and Region, including your Hospital Foundation. In fact, he and MaryHelen supported countless charities and organizations in the community and region with over $4 Million in donations and sponsorships! What a legacy!
Working with Ron Reginer (General Manager of Canadian Tire, Grande Prairie and long time family friend) and MaryHelen, it was decided that the naming of the donor wall lived up to Jim’s legendary reputation and is a significant, long-lasting recognition that would always live on in the heart of the hospital they both believed in so deeply. His support of your Hospital Foundation and local healthcare was just one of the many ways this amazing man showed his love of Grande Prairie and his selflessness and generosity.
Jim would have been thrilled to see the hospital completed and to see what a beautiful facility Grande Prairie now has. I was so impressed with the college area as well which is so important for the community.
~ MaryHelen Boccioletti – Wife of the late Jim Boccioletti
“I was very honoured to be with MaryHelen to present a cheque for $100,000.00 to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation to help create the James Boccioletti Donor Wall at the new GPRH. Jim was always extremely proud to support the hospital foundation because he knew that the new hospital would be critical to our growing community. And I know Jim would hope that this recognition of his contributions would inspire others to get involved and support the community however they can.”
~ Ron Reigner – General Manager, Canadian Tire, Grande Prairie
We will never forget Jim’s gentle manner and smile. He lit up the room when he entered, emanating kindness and acceptance wherever he went. Jim was known around Grande Prairie for his patience and support of sports through Canadian Tire’s Jump Start program.
Jim led by example, whether he intended to or not.
From his membership in Swan City Rotary Club to his leadership, philanthropy and volunteerism in your community and region – Jim helped so many. He truly leaves a legacy that has positively changed lives and will continue for lifetimes to come. A true pillar of society – and a philanthropy giant who is now forever memorialized within the hospital he so deeply believed in.
Thank you, Jim and MaryHelen for your support of local healthcare.