August 14, 1924 – October 23, 2011
Having led a full and rich life with the love of his large family and many friends, Jim passed away peacefully at the age of 87. Jim grew up on a Saskatchewan homestead in a close-knit family during the Great Depression. He left life on the farm at the age of eighteen to join the Fort Garry Horse Regiment of the Canadian Forces and serve our country in WWII. On June 6, 1944 Jim was one of the 14,000 brave, young Canadians who stormed Juno Beach in the D-Day offensive. As the regimental wireless control operator in the Colonel’s tank, he managed strategic communications. Jim participated in the liberation of Holland and was stationed in Germany when Victory in Europe was declared.
Jim married his wife Irene in Calgary in 1950 and they moved to Vancouver Island where he found a career in the forest industry. As a union leader, he worked tirelessly over many years to improve the safety and employment conditions of workers.
In 1958, Jim and Irene settled in Victoria to raise their family. He valued his family above all else and took great interest in the various endeavours of his many family members. Jim enjoyed over forty-five years of golf as a member of the Gorge Vale Golf Club. He was a gentleman of the highest order and will be remembered for his positive outlook, sense of humour, commitment to learning and his determination.
Jim was pre-deceased by his loving parents, Andrew and Margaret Vanyo, and his brothers Frank and Alec. He is survived by his wife and sweetheart of 61 years, Irene; his children Barbara (Robert), Debbie (Gary, deceased), Shelley (Barry), Jamey (Lynne) and Kathy (Tim); and his sisters Julie (Peter, deceased), Elizabeth (Leigh) and June. Jim also leaves grandchildren Renita, Cherise, Amy, Matt, Nick, Shannon, Jeremy, Nathan, Rob, Brenda, Janet and Steven; great-grandchildren Willow, Shyla and Ashly; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Parish on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Father William Hann presiding. A reception will follow at the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
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Jack and Rika Dixon
Please accept this inadequate message of our heartfelt expression of sorrow in your loss, the offer of our affectionate support in your grieving, and the promise of our continued friendship in the difficult time ahead.