James Mckinnon

Capt. James (Jim) McKinnon, 94 years young and a lifelong resident of Nanaimo, passed away unexpectedly on Robbie Burns Day, Tuesday the 25th, 2022 at Eden Gardens Care Home.

He was predeceased by his parents James and Jean McKinnon, brother Alex, sister Helen, and his beloved wife Jean. He is survived by his daughter Lynn Barnstead (Jim), son James (Faye) granddaughter Rebecca Hastings (Richard) Inverness Scotland, grandson Chad, and three great-grandchildren Sienna, Cruz and Rio. (Scotland)

Jim’s parents emigrated from Ayrshire, Scotland and he was born in Nanaimo at Mrs. Reid’s Nursing Home on December 1st, 1927. Jim had many wonderful memories as a child and teenager, where they would spend summer days at the local swimming hole at the Nanaimo Estuary or hiking and hunting all around Mount Benson or the South End of Nanaimo. He attended South Ward School and later John Shaw High School.

His first job was as a watch repairer at a shop on Commercial Street, where he could see the boats working in the harbour from the window and knew the sea was calling to him. He then went on to work for Nanaimo Towing for many years on the tugs and running the Newcastle Ferry in the summer. He received his Captains License in 1960 and started his own Towboat Company. He went on to be a Shipping Agent and was also one of the original owners of the engraving business Bastion Trophies that is still open in Nanaimo today. He worked at the trophy shop until he retired.

He married the love of his life Jean Cook on June 15th, 1950 and they spent 64 wonderful years together. They had a house built in Harewood where they raised their daughter and son amongst a tight knit community of neighbours and family. In the 1970’s they moved to Chase River to the Sunny Slope Mobile Park, where they had a full and active retirement life together. They enjoyed happy summers camping and boating on the island with the Yo Yo Club. They also loved to travel and went to Yuma Arizona for many winters to get some sun, where they made lots of special friends.

Jim also loved working in his garden growing and planting flowers. He was known for growing the most beautiful Dahlias and took great pride in them. He was also a big animal lover and always had dogs, cats and even budgies as pets his whole life. He really enjoyed watching the birds and the hummingbirds out his windows.

Jim was a very amazing and clever man that could do anything he set his mind to. Whether it was building a house for his daughter, campers for their own use for travelling, or renovating a heritage home for his son. He was always willing to help his family or anyone else when needed.

They enjoyed their home and time in Sunny Slope where they were surrounded by wonderful neighbours. They moved to Wexford Creek when Jean’s health declined. She passed in 2014 and Jim continued to live at Wexford for 7 years. He then moved to Eden Gardens where he was very popular for his great sense of humour.

Jim was extremely proud of his Scottish heritage and often quoted or misquoted famous lines from Robert Burns’s poems. He had many relatives come and visit from Scotland and England and he took pride is showing them the island sights. He especially loved it when his granddaughter and family visited from Scotland so he could spend time with his great-grandchildren who he adored.

Jim was a devoted family man who lived a full and active life, with a loving family and many friends, keeping his great sense of humour until the very end of his days.

If there’s another world, he lives in bliss

If there is none, he made the best of this

- Robert Burns -

We would like to thank all the staff and volunteers at Eden Gardens for the excellent care they gave Jim in the past year. And a special thank you to Dr Poteryko for being such a devoted doctor to Jim for many years.

There will be a private Graveside Service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested you may make a donation in Jim’s memory to Eden Gardens Care Home or the Animal Rescue society of your choice.