In-Bok Jacob Kim

“This is not a world I want to live in, without him.”

I have heard this more than once recently. So Korean, so dramatic, so passionate … so true. Our father, In-Bok Jacob Kim, simply known as “Kim” by many, was an icon. To be around him, was to be enveloped in his adoration of you, accompanied by lots of love smacks and loud cheer. Everyone thought he was THEIR best friend, especially the dogs. The void in our lives is immense.

We feel blessed to have been with him during the entire medical emergency. Toronto Western Hospital’s doctors, nurses and staff treated him like royalty. We are very grateful for their support, attention, and compassion. In-Bok Kim passed peacefully at 11:11pm on Saturday, September 13, 2025 with the family at his side.

Time for a little biography! Although his legal birthday shows the age of 88, Kim is actually 91 years old. He was born in Bukcheong City, South Hamgyong Province, North Korea. As a young adult, he escaped to South Korea where he met and married the stunning and charming Jeongchol Helena Kim. In January 1976, the family, now of four, immigrated to Mimico, Ontario, Canada.

The couple were very active with the growing Korean Democratic Group in Toronto as well as the Korean Anglican Church in Toronto. Kim, a Physical Trainer for the American Army in Uijeongbu, South Korea, continued his fierce physical acuity by playing tennis religiously. He helped found the grass-roots 'High Park Tennis Club' and was named its Honourable Life-Time President in 2001. Their annual Masters Tournament is named after him. Friends from church and tennis communities will remember him as a charismatic, athletic, hardworking, unmaterialistic, and devoted family man. He was an avid gardener and a knowledgeable forager for seasonal greens and seeds. For him, Nature was God's greatest Cathedral, one he was blessed to be in harmony with, not in control or exploit.

For decades, Kim worked at The Borden Company, in a lab coat as their Quality Control Inspector. During this time, he also contributed as a church Leader & Elder, and stewarded the church often as a custodian. He was a lifelong student of the Bible and religion. Kim even had the whole book of Romans in the New Testament memorized and recited it to family and community members several times! After retirement in 2001, his standing in the Korean religious community was cemented as the long-time building manager for Hanuhl United Church on High Park Avenue, Toronto.

Cherishing his memory (along with you) are: Larger-than-Life Wife of over 61 years, Chong-Chol Helena Kim; Son and Best-Friend, Luke (Kyong-Man) Kim; Daughter, Ah-Nan Kim Boughton; Grandchildren, Aerin and Leigh Boughton; Son-In-Law, John Boughton; Bonus Son, Billy J. Choi- Gekas; Sister-in-Law, Reverend Young Sook Min; Nieces, Lisa Lee (and Emily) and Caroline Min. And we cannot forget to mention the Family Dogs: Peach and Shya (2013-2025).

We will miss our fearless “cheer” leader. His amazing qualities and lessons will carry us into the future, and we will continue to make him proud and carry on his legacy. Thank you to all our neighbours, friends and extended family for your incredible support, prayers, and love. Hugs to you all.

A memorial/celebration of life will follow later – probably after Thanksgiving.