It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James (Jim) Thomson on March 20th, 2022 at the age of 73, shortly after receiving a lung cancer diagnosis.
Survived by his wife Martha Hope, daughter Jenna Thomson (Mike White), grandsons Angus and Simon, brother Ross Thomson (Linda Foley) and a multitude of loving relatives and friends. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Doug and Mary Thomson, and his first wife Leslie (nee Livermore).
Born June 18th, 1948 in Vancouver, Jim was raised in North Vancouver, traipsing through the woods with his buddies and making friendships that would last a lifetime. A graduate of Delbrook Senior Secondary (1966) and Simon Fraser University (1971), Jim settled in Vancouver and went on to have a career in metallurgy and quality assurance. Jim and Leslie married in 1971 and welcomed daughter Jenna in 1979. After Leslie’s death in 1990, Jim continued to raise Jenna as a single father, providing her with a loving home while passing on his love of nature through many camping trips, hikes, and road trips. After meeting in 1998, Jim and Martha married in 2001, and lived together in Vancouver for 10 years before retiring to Victoria. Jim and Martha shared a love of live music, time with friends and exploring the outdoors with their dogs and on bikes.
Jim truly believed in the value of contributing to his community and to society at large, from working on his strata’s board and mapping the irrigation system to campaigning for environmental causes. Jim could always be trusted to do tasks with care and precision while keeping the bigger picture in mind.
An avid audiophile, Jim took great enjoyment in researching and tinkering with his stereo system. He spent hours listening to records, both alone and with friends, discovering new musicians and revisiting his old favourites. He was also interested in the roots of consciousness, and he spent time reading various philosophers, meditating and going to workshops.
Jim’s humour and laughter, his love of life and thoughtful and caring words and deeds will be missed by all those who knew him.
A gathering to celebrate Jim’s life with laughter, love, music, and good beer will be scheduled at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Jim’s favourite charities: the David Suzuki Foundation https://davidsuzuki.org/ or the Canadian Red Cross https://www.redcross.ca/
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
12 Responses
A beautiful tribute for a beautiful man. Jim leaves a legacy of love in those he loved so well. My dear Martha being most fortunate to have many years with the love of her life, Jim.
We met Jim and Martha here on “The Hill” in 2015. Although we weren’t part of the strata we were always made to feel welcome with a ready smile. Sorry we just missed at Delbrook, you graduated in June and I started that September.
Besides enjoying life in Victoria, we also shared our love of motorcycles and were smart enough to realize when the time came to call it a day. Wish you’d had more time to reminisce.
You’ll be deeply missed, here and wherever you touched peoples’ lives.
We felt like instant friends when we met. I was so looking forward to more good times together. I’m so sorry about this sad news.
What lovely words about a truly stellar man. Jim’s passing is a great loss to us all as his genuine goodness was so invigorating. Martha, knowing that Jim was your best friend, my heart breaks for you.
I will miss Jim greatly. He was always the most friendly person you could meet. His smile could always light up the room.
My deepest condolences to Jim’s family.
We are honoured to have known Jim. We loved him as a friend and neighbour. He was a truly fine human being and part of our ‘safe 6’ throughout the pandemic. He lifted our spirits when we were only able to gather outdoors. He was one of the first people we were able to hug when it was again possible.
We will miss him.
With love, Donna-Lee and Michael
John Barlow
Jim was my oldest and best friend. He and I enjoyed the beauty and wonders of the the North Shore mountains growing up. We both earned badges from Lord Baden Powell by learning how to tie a bowline knot and the other 41 knots to get the Boy Scout badge. This was just before we discovered girls – much more interesting. As soon as we turned 16 we got our drivers licenses. Being before the days of driving schools, we were taught by our mothers, which was not much help since we both got brand new Yamaha 305 motorbikes. The old two lane highway to Squamish had so many hair raising turns with the added benefit of terrorizing the girfriend hanging on for dear life.
Speaking of hanging on, I just have to say too soon Jim, too soon, way too soon. You had so much more love to give.
I’m so grateful for the truck load of great memories.
I will never forget you Jim.
I met Jim through Demetrios and Lou. We all shared a love of music and Hi Fi. Please accept my condolences at the sudden passing of Jim Thomson.
I met Jim four years ago. I wish our paths had crossed long before and had him as a friend for many more.
How much I will miss you Uncle Jim, but I am so glad I got to see you in September. Martha, I am blessed that he married you and you came into my life. You are full of light and love and are such a blessing that I am glad to have continue to be in our family. I am so sorry you lost your love and am glad Doug is there to keep you company. Jenna and Mike, what an absolute blessing you both are to me as family and I can’t imagine the devastation you are feeling loosing your father/father in law. Love you both so much. Angus and Simon, you are two of the most amazing little men a second cousin could ask for. I know you will miss your grandpa very much, but I’m so glad you had many adventures to build beautiful memories off of. Love you all so much and sending hugs from here.