James Joseph Hogan

Jim was born in Bruno, Saskatchewan on July 16th, 1935, the first child of Emma and William Hogan of Meachem, Saskatchewan. Jim was followed by brothers Bill Jr., Tim, Gerry, sister Patricia, brother Terry, and sister Christine. By the time Jim was in his teen years, he had lived on the family farm in Meachem, then moved to Brandon, Montreal, and Saskatoon. He moved out on his own in his mid-teens to live in the Regina YMCA while working in the CP Railway Telegram Office. All of this with the backdrop of the Depression, World War II, and the Korean War.

Seeking adventure, at the age of 17 Jim joined the Royal Canadian Navy. Based in Esquimalt, British Columbia on the HMCS Ontario - a cruiser class fighting ship commissioned during WWII - Jim would spend 3 years with multiple deployments in the South Pacific. On one tour, the HMCS Ontario served as naval escort for the Royal “Brittania” for Queen Elizabeth’s Australian tour.

Jim’s clean-cut, ship-shape look and congenial disposition made him a natural salesman. After leaving the navy and throughout the rest of his life Jim would work for a variety of companies such as Firestone Tire, Molson Breweries, Schenley Distilleries, Bandag Tire and Rubber Co., along with several businesses of his own. Through the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s as a bachelor, “Diamond Jim” socialized with and formed lasting friendships with a lively crew full of interesting characters. The tales of their escapades, filled with the spirit of adventure, could fill volumes. While it’s impossible to capture them all in print, Jim was always eager to reminisce and share these stories with anyone who would listen.

In 1973, Jim met Mary Lynne O’Gorman in Edmonton, Alberta through his brother and sister in-law, Tim and Marg Hogan. They married shortly after. In 1976, Jim and Lynne welcomed their first child, Matthew Liam in Prince George, B.C. In 1977, the couple would welcome their second child, Kathleen Patricia, in Vancouver. Jim, Lynne and family lived all around the Lower Mainland of B.C., settling in South Surrey in the late 1980’s where they would remain into the early 2000’s. The “White Rock” years provided for many great memories. Unfortunately, Lynne would fall ill to Alzheimer’s in the late 1990’s and was hospitalized until her passing in 2009.

During this difficult period, a silver lining emerged: Jim met Lynne Douglas, who he affectionately called "Lynne D." They met at the hospital where both of their spouses were in care during their final stages of life, and this chance meeting brought new happiness and companionship to Jim. Eventually Jim and “Lynne D” moved to Vancouver Island, residing first in Qualicum and finally in Parksville. It is here where they both embraced retired life and the laid-back beach lifestyle. Jim and Lynne were married and enjoyed many great years together, with lots of adventure and travel. Jim (known to his grandchildren as “Papa”) was very proud of his family and took great joy in the lives of his grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife Lynne (Douglas), son Matthew with wife Sarah, granddaughter Olivia, daughter Kathleen, grandson Keaton (Curtis), granddaughters Emerson and Laine (Curtis), brothers Tim (Marg), Gerry (Pearl), Terry (Darcy) and sister Chris (Tim Streisel), stepdaughter Nicole Douglas (Neil Sawatzky), step-grandson Nathan Douglas, and stepdaughter Shauna Douglas. Jim is predeceased by his first wife (Mary) Lynne, brother Bill Jr., and sister Pat (Andrews).

A celebration of life is planned for Tuesday, November 5th, from 11am until 2pm at Morgan Creek Golf Course, South Surrey, British Columbia https://www.morgancreekgolf.com/.

In lieu of flowers, Jim requested donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia:

https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en

“Fulminis Instar” (Hogan motto) - “Like Lightning.” RIP JJH.