McIntosh, James Alexander DFC, RPF
February 24, 1920 – September 13, 2009
Our beloved and loving husband, father, “Grumpa” and best buddy to Andrew passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 13. He is survived by his adored and loving wife of 61 years, Gerry, his daughter, Sandi (Jan), his son, Graeme (Cathy), his grandchildren, Aislinn, Cameron, Andrew and Mark, nieces and nephews and countless family and friends.
Jim was born to Margaret and Dan McIntosh in Revelstoke, B.C. Jim and his two sisters, Rowena and Muriel, spent their childhood on the family farm in the “Big Eddy” part of Revelstoke. As a young man he worked for the CPR and could drive a train and fly a plane before he could drive a car. He joined the RCAF in 1941 after WWII broke out and was posted overseas. He piloted Lancaster and Halifax bombers in the 432 Squadron, winning his DFC for an especially harrowing and heroic flight back from Berlin in March 1944. He and his crew were shot down later that same month and those that survived remained as POW’s until liberation in May 1945.
Upon return to Canada, he enrolled in forestry at UBC, graduating with the class of 1950. He married Gerry in 1948, the beginning of a long, loving and adventurous life together. He worked in logging camps on Vancouver Island and near Prince George, before going to work in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. He and his family moved to North Vancouver in 1956. Jim took a forest harvesting research position with the Federal Government, and when Forintek took over the Government laboratory, he continued on with them until his retirement in 1984.
Jim was a proud and loyal Canadian, an avid reader, badminton player, fly-fisherman and a keen observer of nature. He retained a special attachment with Revelstoke and took great pride and satisfaction in remembering the names and places of his youth. He loved to travel and visit in Canada and overseas, but his two favourite places were his home in North Vancouver and his Thetis Island sundeck looking out over the Gulf Islands. Jim will be remembered for his love and caring for his family, his Church and community, and for his crusty exterior that disguised a very warm heart.
He will be sorely missed.