Bereaved Families of Ontario
board includes:
L. JAMES CARDINAL, Chair
- Bereaved Families of Ontario
L. James Cardinal (better known
as Jim) is a third generation funeral director. Licensed
as a funeral director in Ontario in 1982, Jim became
president/owner of Cardinal Funeral Homes Ltd in 1984
after the death of his father. He is proud to carry
on the family tradition of caring for his community
since 1925.
Jim has served on many
volunteer boards:
- Past president of Guaranteed Funeral Deposits 1994
- Board member of the Ontario Funeral Service Association
1995 to 1998
- Founding member of Open Dialogue
- Board member of the Toronto and District Funeral
Directors Association 1996 to 1998
- President of the Funeral Service Association of
Canada 2005 -2006
- Board member of Bereaved Families of Ontario - Toronto
2002 - 2007
He has also volunteered as a
T-Ball and Little League baseball coach in High Park
as well as coaching minor hockey at Humber Valley.
In his younger years Jim travelled Ontario as a professional
musician before joining the family business. He still
enjoys playing the odd gig now and then whenever he
can. Jim is an avid scuba diver and loves to travel
the world in search of the perfect dive.
Jim is married and has two sons, both currently away
at university.
TERESA GIBSON, B.A.
Teresa has Bachelors in Sociology, a Certificate in
Grief and Bereavement Studies and is at present working
on her Bachelor’s of Social Work. She became a board
member in 2004 to Midwestern Regions’ Affiliate. Teresa
is currently working with youth who are in trouble with
the law. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering
with Grand River Hospital (Spiritual Care), Huntington
Society of Canada and Hospice of Waterloo Region. Her
past board experience has been the Alzheimer Society
of Kitchener-Waterloo. Teresa joined the Provincial
Board in June 2007.
JEFF THORSTEINSON
Jeff and his wife Janet live in Whitby Ontario and they
have 4 children: Matthew, Joseph (9yrs), Daniel (6yrs)
and Eva (4yrs). Jeff and Janet became involved with
the BFO affiliate in London Ontario shortly after Matthew
died very suddenly from meningitis on Feb. 24th, 2000.
BFO London played a very significant role in helping
Janet and Jeff through the grieving process and when
they felt the time was right they became involved as
volunteers: Jeff by sitting on the BFO London Board
of Directors and volunteering as a grief counsellor
and Janet by teaching yoga for grieving mothers and
volunteering as a grief counsellor. After moving to
Whitby in 2006, Jeff joined the board of the provincial
BFO organization to continue contributing to the work
of BFO. Jeff works in downtown Toronto for the Bank
of Montreal group of companies developing and executing
their business strategies, Janet is raising the children
and teaching a multitude of fitness class in the Whitby
area and Joe, Dan and Evie are very busy with school,
music and sports activities.
KATE BURDETT
Kate is a bereaved parent who has served Bereaved Families
of Ontario in both Ottawa and Midwestern Region for
many years. She has facilitated a great number of BFO
groups and currently serves as the Professional Consultant
for BFO-Midwestern Region. As well as sitting on the
Board of Directors for BFO Provincial, Kate has served
on the boards of both BFO Ottawa and BFO Midwestern
Regions. Kate regularly provides seminars and training
for Corporate EAP programs, government agencies, and
area Health Centres and is an active volunteer in her
community mental health networks. Kate's private practice
centres on issues related to grief, loss and stress.
FRANK JABLONOWSKI
Frank is Retired Captain, from the Burlington ON Fire
Department, holder of the Fire Services Exemplary Service
Medal and the Provincial Fire Services Long Service
Medal.
Frank became a member of
BFO in 1988 after the death of his 19 year old son,
Officer Cadet Frank J. Jablonowski. Bereaved Families
of Ontario extended a helping hand after the death of
my son and since then I endeavour to do the same for
others, in their time of need. I expect to carry on
with this vocation, while able to be able to do so.
In addition to being a
Trained BFO Facilitator, has served in many capacities
at the BFO Affiliate and Provincial level. Also, active
as the Secretary to the Board of Directors to Lakefield
Animal Welfare Society, Active Volunteer and Director
with the Buckhorn Community Center. Current serving
member of the Galway-Cavendish-Harvey Fire Service
His avocation is tinkering
in his home workshop, woodcarving, photography, calligraphy
and is a voracious reader. He is the caretaker of four
pets: three cats and one elderly retired German Shepherd
Police Dog.