WILSON, James Earl
(Jim/Jimmy)
January 17th, 1915 - February 16th, 2006
James Earl (Jim) Wilson of Cumberland, B.C. passed away quietly on February 16th, 2006 at the age of 91. Jim was born in Norton, New Brunswick to George and Addie Wilson. He had four brothers and three sisters. Jim is lovingly remembered by his son Paul J. (Glenda) Wilson, son John E. (Joan) Wilson, daughter Jeanne Wilson, and brother Bill Wilson of Gravenhurst Ontario. He was predeceased by his wife and soulmate, Irma, in 2004; grandson, James Robert Wilson in l993; and siblings John, Lorne, Thomas, Hazel, Beatrice and Idora. Jim grew up on the family farm in Norton. At the age of 17 he began work underground in a local coal mine where he obtained his coal mining certificate. Then Jim moved on to Baie Comeau, Quebec where he worked on the construction of the pulp mill. He then became a hard rock miner in the Creighton Mine of the International Nickel Company of Canada in Sudbury, Ontario. In June 1940 Jim married Irma Augustine Clavette in Sudbury. In August of 1943 Jim was conscripted to mine coal in the Comox Valley at the Number 8 Mine of Canadian Collieries (Dunsmuir) Ltd. After a number of local moves Jim and his young family settled in Cumberland. He continued to work underground in the No. 8 and later Tsable River coal mines until 1964. Due to the imminent Tsable River mine closure, Jim started work as a custodian for School District No. 71. He was a popular friend to many school-aged children until his retirement in 1980. Jim’s devotion to Irma, his wife of 63 years, was unwavering. He was steadfast in his commitment to his family, always supportive of his children and proud of their accomplishments. He was an enthusiastic, loving, and active Papa to his five grandchildren: Michelle Bangert (Wilf), Jim Wilson, Dan Wilson (Tracy), Lene Trieu (Ton), and Sara Wilson (Dave Tran). They will cherish their memories of him. Jim was a proud Great Papa to his four great-grandchildren: Brayden Bangert, Owen Wilson, Evan Wilson and Hannah Trieu. In addition to working hard, Jim played hard and was active throughout his life. In his younger days in New Brunswick, Jim was an avid hockey player and swimmer. He always sought the outdoors where he hiked, fished, gardened, skied, and golfed with gusto. He was a long-time member of Sunnydale Golf and Country Club and enjoyed golfing three times a week until he was 87 years old. He was a passionate hockey fan as well. Jim and Irma travelled to many parts of the world including Asia, Russia and the Middle East. Jim was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Cumberland, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church (CFB Comox) while Irma served as organist and finally Christ The King Roman Catholic Church in Courtenay. He helped with the upkeep and maintenance of the Cumberland Catholic Church for many years until its closing in l990. Jim was a resident of Cumberland Lodge for the past two years. The family is very grateful for the wonderful care he received from the Lodge staff and volunteers. The family also wishes to thank all of Jim’s friends for their kind, affectionate, and thoughtful assistance over the past few years.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday February 24th at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church with Father Paul Murphy presiding. An inurnment follows at Cumberland Cemetery. Piercy’s/Mt. Washington Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.