James "Jim" Walter Austin

Jim Austin passed away on November 21 at the age of 88, with family at his side. Born in Sarnia, Ontario to Edna and Stewart Austin, Jim is predeceased by his brother John and sister-in-law Ann and also his sister Barb Wilson (Ted). He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Edna, as well as his five children, Jeff (Karen), James Ian, Jamie Lynn, Stewart (Brandie) and Peter. Jim was proud of his 4 grand-children Jenn (Sarah), Julie, MacKenzie and Kiera and his two great grand-children, Finn and Oceana. Jim is also survived by his sister Cathy Macintosh of Sarnia, Ontario.

Jim was patient, kind and insightful and will be missed by his family and friends.

Jim grew up in Sarnia, Ontario and left home after high school to follow a career in the mining industry. In 1959, Edna and Jim, moved to Houghton, Michigan and Jim attended Michigan Tech in the Mining and Mineral Engineering Department. His first job became his last as he completed a 40-year career with the Noranda Group of Companies starting at a mine in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. After a transfer and a brief stay in Northern Ontario, Jim and Edna went to live at Hendrix Lake in central BC. It is here that Jim took up curling, hunting and met his life-long friends Ken and Joe. When the mine closed and friends scattered, Jim and Edna traded small-town life for suburban comfort in the Okanagan. With employment at the Brenda Mine, they bought their first home in Lakeview Heights, which came with a large yard, many cherry trees and eventually a swimming pool. Jim spent weekends and holidays either managing the lawn, pruning trees or maintaining chlorine levels. Luckily, he found a friend in neighbour Tom who also had a pool and many cherry trees. Tom introduced Jim to Phil and the three of them, along with their wives, would meet regularly to celebrate birthdays and other milestones.

The Brenda Mine closed in 1990 and Jim continued to work with Brenda Process Technology and consulted to mining projects around the globe. Jim’s travels while consulting were extensive, from Russia to Indonesia, Sweden to Chile and many stops in between.

Jim retired in 2002 to a life of family, good friends, curling, the Boston Bruins and travel.

The Austin’s would like to thank Jim's family physicians. Firstly, Dr. Mike Banwell for decades of care and following Dr. Banwell's retirement, Dr. Adam Burnett. Dr. Burnett offered wonderful and compassionate end-of-life care to Jim. Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which led to him needing care in a home. He was fortunate to find a place at Lakeview Lodge. The care he received was excellent. Thank you to all the staff.

There is no planned service at this time, the family will gather to remember Jim in early summer.