James Moore Parke

Jim was a Winnipeg-born prairie man who never let go of the honest, down to earth traits that prairie people seem to embody. He did however fully embrace the West Coast and never left, in spite of his company's efforts to relocate him (and his family) to Toronto or Minneapolis. He was a steady, hard-working and reliable presence for the family.

He had a love for flying and trained with some of his friends, who went on to fly for commercial airlines. He was athletic and played football in his youth (was even invited to a Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp), watched a lot of NHL hockey (his cheers could be heard down the block), and then shifted his attention to the Vancouver Whitecaps later in life. An avid tennis player and member of the Jericho Tennis Club, Jim was on the court at least a couple of times a week well into his 80's. When asked if he would consider pickleball as he was starting to struggle with the mobility needed for tennis, he guffawed. Jim had a great sense of humour with a big laugh that filled the room.

He loved food, particularly spicy Szechuan dishes, White Spot milkshakes (extra thick) and he adored salads so much, he must have been a rabbit in a former lifetime. But he was comically hapless in the kitchen himself –which was a source of amusement to everyone around him.

Regardless of his declining health, he remained optimistic, engaging, and without complaint until his passing. He will be greatly missed. Jim is survived by beloved partner MaryEllen Spencer-Phillips, his children Catharine Parke (Jeff Henschel), Dan Parke (Kathryn Thompson) and David Parke (Sherri Rich), their mother Maggie Parke, and his wonderful grandchildren: Sophie, Aspen and Terra. Also survived by former wife Roberta Cummins.