Jim Boughen worked for the Ministry of Transportation for 36 years and was a member of the Port Hope Fire Department for over 30 years, serving as Chief from 1985 until his retirement in 2004. He was involved in countless community events in Port Hope as both a member of the Port Hope Fire Department and as a proud member of his community.
Port Hope Deputy Mayor Jeff Lees, said "Jim was a great guy. A go-er and a do-er, who could be seen painting park benches, cutting grass and doing other odd jobs in his spare time. He had to be the hardest working man I ever met, and funny with the greatest sense of humour.”
At the time of his death, Owen Skinkle remembered his friend Jim this way, “Jimmy loved everybody. He was everybody's friend. If there was something to be done, decorations to be put up downtown, Jimmy would be the first person to put them up."