October 4, 1935 – April 15, 2015
It is with much sadness that we inform you that Jim passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s hospital on April 15, 2015 at the age of 79.
He was predeceased by his parents, brother Jackie and son Raymond. Jim is lovingly remembered and survived by Gayle his wife of 59 years, children Richard (Julie), Jim (Betty) and Connie (Michael), and sisters Jan, Sheila, and Helena (Alex). He will also be deeply missed by his grandchildren, sister and brother in-laws, numerous nieces and nephews and the many valued friends that he made during his lifetime.
Jim was born and raised in New Waterford, Nova Scotia. He joined the Air Force at an early age and it was while he was stationed at CFB Greenwood that he met Gayle. They were married in 1956 and moved to Atikokan, Ontario where Jim obtained a job at the Steep Rock Iron Mines. It was in
Atikokan that their four children were born. An industrial mining accident, which resulted in Jim being unable to carry out the physical demands of working in a mining environment, precipitated the move to Courtenay in 1966,where most of Gayle’s family resided. It was here that Jim began his long career in the Newspaper industry. He started working for the Comox District Free Press (“The Green Sheet”) as an advertising sales person before progressing to Advertising Manager and then onto Assistant Publisher- General Manager. Jim retired from the Free Press after 25 years of service in 1991 but came out of retirement a short time later to take on the role of Publisher at the Comox Valley Record. He left the industry for good in 1995 and thoroughly enjoyed his post retirement years.
He enjoyed staying active and played competitive fastball in his younger years and later took up fishing, bowling, curling and golf. Jim believed strongly in serving the community and thus was involved with a number of clubs and associations. His natural ability to lead resulted in him serving in a number of leadership capacities within community clubs. This included the Legion (Executive team), Kinsmen Club (President, Deputy Governor, Life Member), Sunnydale Golf Club (President) and Rotary Club (President). He was also honoured to serve as a Director of the BC Summer Games (1981) and as the President of the BC Winter Games (1995). He was a Courtenay City Councillor from 1990 to 1993 and served on the City of Courtenay’s Board of Variance for 18 years.
Jim lived a great life full of fun and adventures that he shared together with family and friends. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered. A “Celebration of Life” will be held at the Sunnydale Golf Club on Saturday April 25th at 2:00 p.m. Flowers gratefully declined. The family would welcome donations to Comox Valley Hospice Society or charity of your choice.