Jim passed away at the Royal Jubilee Hospital on March 26, 2015 after a brief illness. He leaves behind his beloved step children Cary, Gary and Colleen McGinnis, grandchildren Kevin and Amber McGinnis and Kelsey Williams and great-grandchildren Davin Monyard, Bella Langerack and Minna Williams all of Victoria.
Jim was born in Victoria, September 19, 1941 to Agnes (Nesbitt) and John Mitchell Cullingford, the eldest of five children, John Cullingford, (Surrey), Pat Bratz (Calgary), Laurie Kaltio (Sechelt) and Frances Engst (Half Moon Bay).
As a young man he pursued his passion, earning his private pilot’s license in a short three months with the assistance of his instructor, Gordon Jeune.
He later found a career in the ambulance business working for his close friend Neil Leard, owner of Garden City Ambulance, now BC Ambulance Service. The two of them could often be found with friends at the Cherry Bank Hotel.
He was a collector of classic cars and a member of the Cadillac Club of BC and the Vintage Car Club of Canada, Victoria Chapter.
He was a great father, the family historian, a best friend to many. He lived a full and happy life and he lived it his way.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
www.mccallbros.com
14 Responses
Jim and I became good friends in grade 5 at St. Louis College.
Along with Ray Vital, Mike Farrell, and Dave Mollin, we hung out together until about grade 11 when Jim took up flying.
We all enjoyed meeting the St. Ann’s Academy girls at the dances our schools organized regularly. Jim’s sister, Pat and some of her friends, like Sandy Fell, Lucille and Connie Cownden, and Susan Nash became part of our little group of friends.
Jim and I lost touch for many years as we lived in different cities, but with the help of Ray Vital I was able to locate and visit Jim not long before he died. We had a nice dinner recalling old times at one of his favourite hangouts.
Rudy Roelofsen
Sorry to heir that J.P passed away he will be missed
Our dear brother Jim was taken suddenly and far too soon.
He loved his children and talked about them often.
Jimmy was the family historian like his uncle James Nesbitt and kept many family photos and records going back to the 1860s.
His pets Reggie and Bob are in good hands with his youngest sister Frances.
We miss him greatly and will miss his sense of humor and caring nature.
Jimmy will definitely be remembered as one of the good guys………..
I’m so sorry for your loss. Jim was such a caring and thoughtful human being. He welcomed hordes of us into his home and his life, and at no small expense. He would take us to Nanaimo to spend the day at the river, he would supply us with endless amounts of food. He was always there for Cary, Gary, and Colleen. I can’t really remember a time that he ever got really cross with any of us. My memories are deep and everlasting of this man and he won’t be forgotten by the people that he touched, which were many.