James W. Watson

Jim Watson courageously ended his battle with cancer on the afternoon of August 1. Surrounded by loving family and friends, he passed on peacefully knowing how much he will be missed. He leaves behind Jean, his wife of 62 years, his two daughters Jennifer (Lance) and Katherine (Keith), eight grandchildren: Dina (Tomas), Allison (Jordan), Peter (Alyce), Braden, Hillary, Andrew (Biatta), Spencer (Audrey) and Tristan (Ashleigh) and two great grandchildren, Elise and Wren.

Born a leap year baby in Aberdeen Scotland, Jim had a yearning for adventure and emigrated to Canada to join Hudson Bay Company when he was 17 years old. In a northern outpost, he met the love of his life Jean, a nurse who had left her home in Manchester, England to live in Canada. They braved the north for several years until their eldest daughter reached school age and then settled in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Jim returned to school and completed a degree in Economics and History. The family enjoyed camping and Jim shared his love of the outdoors with his children. In 1973, the family moved to Abbotsford, BC and Jim found his joy teaching at Fraser Valley College and later at the secondary school level. His students loved his sense of humour and his capacity for not taking himself too seriously. He never saw a silly hat that he wasn’t prepared to wear. In 1989, the family moved to Grand Forks BC. Jim and Jean enjoyed many years surrounded by grandchildren. Once again, Jim had children to share his love of nature with – whether gardening, hiking, playing in the river, stargazing or getting up early to watch the sunrise, his grandchildren learned to love the things he loved. Jim also shared his love of classical music and in later years enjoyed listening to the music performed by two of his grandchildren whom he had inspired.

On retirement in 2005, the family moved again to Victoria BC where Jim found many communities in which to participate: St. Mary the Virgin Anglican Church, Scottish Country Dancing, the Monterey Centre Scriveners and Mount St. Mary Hospital where Jean has resided for many years. He bought bunches of carnations regularly that he distributed to family and friends around town. Jim believed very deeply that flowers were a gift of joy for the people he cared for. Jim also loved his dog Adi and his cat Jimmy, all three of whom could be seen walking around the neighbourhood together. Jim will be remembered and celebrated for his gentle spirit, quirky sense of humour and deep devotion to his family. May his yearning for adventure inspire his journey beyond this life. A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 10 at 2pm at St. Mary the Virgin, Anglican Church in Oak Bay. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name may be made to the charity of your choice.