Muir
James MacKelvie
Dec 27, 1929 - May 28, 2006
Muir, James MacKelvie, son of James Muir and Estelle Holtham, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2006 in Courtenay B.C. of pulmonary failure. He was a loving father to Deirdre (Courtenay) and James (Toronto), grandfather to Madailein and Nolan Muir, and father-in-law to Brian Allaert and Jessica Muir.
He was predeceased by sisters Emma, Jesse, Evelyn, and brother Ian, and survived by sister Molly (Ottawa), former wife Elizabeth Gillan Muir (Toronto), former partner Dianne de Vienne (New Orleans) and life-long friend David Panabaker (Bancroft).
Born December 27, 1929, in Almonte, Ontario, Jim made Courtenay, on Vancouver Island, his home in 1992 after living for many years in Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Stratford.
Jim’s gift was with the written word with which he could express thought deftly. He achieved the degree of Bachelor of Journalism at Carleton University and spent the 50s as a newspaper reporter and editor. In addition to stints at The Ottawa Journal, the Nassau Guardian, and Kitchener-Waterloo Record, he was founding editor of the Trentonian in Trenton, Ontario. He spent a decade with CNR in Public Relations and another decade with PR firm Public and Industrial Relations. He was later self-employed and then moved to Stratford, Ontario, where he co-managed a successful bed-and-breakfast inn. He moved to B.C. in 1992 and, in retirement, occupied himself with building and business projects and explored various aspects of philosophy.
Jim will be dearly missed by an extensive web of friends and acquaintances who were drawn to his optimistic, fun-loving and gentle nature.
In lieu of flowers, and knowing the gratitude he would wish to express to those who cared for him, Jim would welcome donations made in his name to St. Joseph’s General Hospital, Comox, B.C.
A Celebration Gathering will be held in Courtenay, B.C., at The Elks Club, 231 6th St., on Saturday, June 3rd at 12 noon.
Condolences may be emailed to: deeinbc@hotmail.com