James "Jim" Murray Rustad

community, as well as, a wonderful husband, a fantastic father, a

caring grandfather, and a sweet great-grandfather.

James “Jim” Murray Rustad passed away on May 4, 2026, at the

age of 88. He was born in 1937, and lived a life marked by hard

work, adventure, devotion to family, and contribution to his

hometown.

Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife of nearly 67 years, Noreen

Rustad, his high-school sweetheart, whom he married on August

15, 1959. Together they built a family that became the center of

Jim’s world. He is survived by their three children, Tammy

(Fernando), Ross (Shauna), and Kathleen (Bruce), as well as four

grandchildren: Cristina (Hector), Sara (Vince), John (Becky),

and Nicole (Jonathan). He also leaves behind two cherished

great-granddaughters, Aurora, age 7, and Alexandria, age 9

months.

The Rustad family came to Prince George from Saskatchewan in

the mid 1940’s, and Jim grew up as part of the family that built

and ran the Rustad Bros. & Co. sawmill and planer mill which

became an important part of the region’s economy. As his dad

Carl and uncle Mel aged out of the day-to-day running of the

business, Jim took on increasing responsibilities until he was

President and general manager by the early 1970’s. Jim valued

his supervisors and employees, and they returned that loyalty

with respect and trust. Through his career, he played a leading

role in the forest industry of B.C. including participating in and

chairing the Council of Forest Industries besides other provincial

boards and committees. The forest industry recognized his

contribution with the Paul Bunyan Award in 1992. After

Northwood bought the mill in 1991, Jim worked for 3 years at

Northwood and then retired. But he never stopped moving,

exploring, or contributing. He was on the Investment

Committees of both the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and

the UNBC Endowment Fund. He fundraised for the UNBC

medical program and for the PG Art Gallery.

Jim and Noreen kept up a remarkable pace of travel, golfing,

socializing, and giving back to their community. Jim was an

outdoorsman through and through. He loved hunting and fishing,

and he especially enjoyed time on the ocean aboard his boat,

the Timber Cruiser. He had an enthusiasm for operating all forms

of transportation, including fast cars, large trucks, heavy

equipment, planes, boats, and helicopters. He and Noreen

traveled widely, often with family, going on unforgettable

adventures to places such as Italy, London, Paris, Egypt, the

Cook Islands, Australia, India, and Nepal. No journey was too far,

and no experience too unusual, even if it involved riding an

elephant to search for tigers. He was the instigator of many

family adventures.

Family always came first for Jim. He showed up for the important

moments in life, no matter the distance, whether it was a

graduation, a wedding, or really any celebration. In later years,

what he enjoyed most was time with family, and he was known

for his interesting tales, curious mind, and generous spirit. We

could not have asked for a better role model. He led by example,

teaching those around him to celebrate the important moments,

savour family time, care for others, and give back. We have all

tried to emulate that attitude, and often ask ourselves in a

situation “What would Dad do?”

Jim was also known for his interest in technology and his

constant curiosity. Whether it was the latest development for the

mill, improvements to his golf game, or a conversation about AI

last Christmas, he was always asking questions and thinking

ahead. He even suggested using AI to help write this obituary.

He was dignified and gracious, continuing to do all he could in

later years and accepting help with the same grace he gave to

others. Jim loved music and dancing, played saxophone in the

school band, and could truly cut a rug with Noreen. He was also

famously inquisitive while traveling, often lingering in museums

so long that the guides had to herd him back to the rest of the

group. In Egypt, the guide constantly had to say, “Mr. Jim! The

bus is leaving, Mr. Jim!”

Jim’s contributions to Prince George and to the province were

many and lasting, and his legacy will live on in the family he

loved, the community he helped shape, and the countless lives

he touched.

Please join us in a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 16th from

2-4pm at the Coast Hotel, Inn of the North.

In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to the Rustad

Family Fund in the Prince George Community Foundation, or the

Rustad Endowment at UNBC.

Many thanks to the kind and caring medical staff who watched

over Jim in his later years, particularly Dr. Yu and Dr. Williams.

We want to thank especially the ambulance staff, the caring

nurses on 3rd floor South, and the doctors who cared for him in

his last days.

Mr. Jim is now off on his next adventure.