Jim Wallingford

Several years ago, I was a new member to Sunshine Hills. One evening, a fellow who I didn't really know called out across the courts. "Hey, Andrea, how come you haven't signed up for the Delta Open?" I said, "Because, no one has asked me." Jim's response was "I'm asking!". Jim and I played in as many tournaments as possible every summer after that. He taught me so much about the game and if we lost, he was satisfied as long as we had played well. One of the things which impressed me was his eagerness to get to know our opponents and chat up the officials. That was a big part of it for him. Somehow, he never managed to get noticed for delaying the match! Not sure how he was able to re-focus on tennis after talking about new tax laws with our opponent during a break!! Always friendly.
It was clear how important tennis and the Sunshine Hills tennis community were to him. As he was starting to regain his strength after a recent, serious illness, he would call me up. He had just booked a court for one hour in Richmond, a 30 minute drive away. At first, he could only hit for 5 minutes, before needing a rest. Every week, he could hit for longer, until he was back to his old form. Tennis and Sunshine Hills were a big part of his life and a big motivator in his recovery.
I still expect him to saunter in at the very last minute. We will all miss him.

It was the biggest pleasure to have known Jim. I met Jim through tennis and at first it was a bit daunting but I grew to love his personality and great wit. His sense of humour was tremendous and he was also very quick when we would banter and give each other a hard time, as friends would do.
Jim would also make sure to keep you on your toes and being entertained on the courts. Whether throwing a racket, or asking if you were sure about your call or drastically changing up his pace and direction in serves; he always kept you awake. He also had great hands at the net and was always hard to pass.
He also made sure to take his breaks in his car whether for a hot dog or a smoke break. And he would come back and still be up and ready to go with his full effort and competitiveness. He made tennis so much fun and it was a joy to be around him.
Jim will be missed but definitely not forgotten. His presence is still felt when I go to the courts and he stills brings a smile to my face as I can recall numerous dry witted jokes from him.
Jim, Thanks for bringing extra joy to my life and many others. We will continue to keep you on our minds on the courts.

First & foremost
I’m deeply sorry to ur family for ur loss , it’s definitely not easy & nobody ever is ready for this kind of thing in life .
I have known Jim for about the last 12-15 years @ SSHT . He ran the C-1 team for a few years , I was lucky enough to be his co - captain.
We had a few squabbles about who should play where on some days , but really none of that mattered as we were all there for the same thing . Tennis & fun , Jim always made sure we had fun .
His quick sense of humour instantly grew on me . I also played a few or more tournaments with Jim as he always wanted more . We came in 2 nd in the Richmond tournament about 4 years ago , that was huge for us .
I’m still in shock over his passing & everyone I talk to @ our club is too .
Again I’m sorry to ur family for our loss .

Jim will live forever in my heart! Like Jack Nicholson says in the movie, As Good As It gets, "You make me want to be a better person", that's how I always felt when I was around Jim, he had such an infectious Happy spirit in him, its individuals like him who make a club like Sunshine Hill an Amazing place to be. I will, as I grow older, be that kind of person to the other around me, that would be the best respect I could ever pay him.I pray that his soul becomes one with the divine. Jim, you will be missed, and yet, in an uncanny way, live forever.

I was truly shocked and saddened to hear of Jim’s passing and will miss seeing him around the courts.

I had the pleasure of knowing Jim for the past five years. He had a wonderful dry, deadpan sense of humour that could always bring a bit of levity to any situation.

Jim was always good for a well-timed racquet toss during a match, or for one of his classic lines: “Do you think the ball was out, or you know… because there is a difference.” It was just part of what made him so memorable to be around.

I truly enjoyed our conversations and the many times we shared the court together, and of course, his well-known love for a good hot dog!

Jim will be deeply missed by many, including his friends at Sunshine Hills Tennis Club.

Losing Jim Wallingford on February 21st, 2026 has left a space in my life—and in our club—that I’m still struggling to put into words. For the past two years, Jim wasn’t just the Vice President of the Sunshine Hills Tennis Club. He was my partner in every decision, every challenge, every laugh, and every late-night conversation about how to make our club better. He became a friend I trusted, admired, and genuinely enjoyed being around.

Jim had a way of walking into a room—or onto a court—and instantly lifting the energy. He was the funniest person I knew, the kind of funny that came from a sharp wit and a warm heart. He was friendly in that effortless, genuine way that made everyone feel welcome. And when it came to tennis, he was simply gifted. Watching him play was like watching someone completely at home in their element.

But what I’ll remember most is the way he served our club. Jim gave everything he had, not because he had to, but because he cared. He cared about the people, the community, the spirit of the place. He cared about doing things right. He cared about making sure everyone felt included and valued. He cared about me, too—more than he probably ever realized.

He showed up. Every time. With pride, with dignity, and with a willingness to do whatever needed to be done. No task was beneath him. No challenge was too big. He simply wanted Sunshine Hills Tennis Club to be the best it could be, and he poured himself into that vision.

I will miss him terribly. Not just as a colleague, but as a friend. And I know I’m far from alone. Every member of our club feels this loss. Jim touched all of us in ways that will stay with us for years to come.

To honour his spirit, I hold close this spiritual reminder that feels especially true now:

“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.”

Jim will always be part of us—part of our courts, our laughter, our stories, and the community he helped shape with so much heart.