August 20, 1960 - November 23, 2020
It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of James (Jim) at the Rotary Hospice House in Prince George. James was predeceased by his parents, Wyn and Ted and brother Bruce. He leaves behind to remember him fondly his sister Jain and twin brother John, nieces Haley, Sarah and Taryn, and nephew Travis.
James was born in Queen Victoria Hospital as part of the gift of twins to Wyn and Ted. He grew up in Revelstoke in the sixties and seventies where he developed a passion for skiing, mountain biking, hiking and fishing.
Following high school, James went to Sri Lanka as part of a Canada World Youth exchange program. There he lived and worked with the local people building schools among the fields and rice patties. This experience had a life-long impact.
James earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics from the University of Victoria. Many summers between semesters were spent at the family home in Revelstoke building flower gardens to ensure Wyn always had flowers, the subject of her paintings.
James took a leap of faith and moved northwards from Victoria. Shortly thereafter, he began working as a health research analyst for the offices of the Chief Medical Health Officer and the numerous health agency CEOs in northwest BC.
In 2003, James moved to Prince George to accept a position at Northern Health as the Regional Manager of Health Informatics; a role that would see him involved in various planning and information support functions throughout the agency. In 2007, James received the BC Public Sector Award for Citizen Engagement, and in 2017, he graduated with an MBA degree from the University of Northern BC.
He was known to many as the "Gardener of Prince George". He championed the community garden and created many smaller gardens in places he knew would bring joy to the neighborhood. James developed friendships with people everywhere he went and spent his time selflessly helping those in need.
He cared deeply for people and his ability to connect with them made him truly special. Always ready with a practical joke or a smile to lighten the moment, in everything he did, James embraced advocacy, honesty, empathy, personal-humility and the promotion of others.
James will be interred in Mountain View Cemetery with his parents and brother in the spring. His many bags of wild-flower seeds will be planted as a lasting memory. Rest in peace brother.