It is with great sadness we announce that Jim Duncan died peacefully on November 30, 2022 at Victoria Hospice. His loving wife Leslie and their daughter Nicole were with him when he passed.
Jim was larger than life. Always dressed to the nines with a perfectly detailed sports car, he looked every inch the part of the successful businessman that he was. No one would ever have guessed that Jim made his start in life on a small dairy farm in Sooke. As a child, he worked hard helping his mom and dad on the farm. Jim loved raising cattle as part of the 4H club. He raised some champions and went on to work on the largest dude ranch in the United States in Boulder, Colorado. On returning to Sooke, Jim took up log burling. In 1967 Jim log burled at the opening of Expo 67 in Montreal and as part of Canada week in Central Park in New York City. Jim was working as a ready-mix truck driver in 1972 when he had saved enough money for a brand-new car. His father convinced him to use half of the money to buy a good used car and the other half to buy land. Jim went on to be one of the great land developers of his time building many projects in British Columbia and Arizona. Jim took great pride in developing and owning The Magnolia Hotel which has won several awards, including Trip Advisor #1 Top Hotel in Canada, 2020 and Travel and Leisure’s Best City Hotel in Canada, 2017.
The only thing that Jim loved more than his business was his family. Jim was predeceased by his parents, James and Annie (Nan) Duncan and his daughter, Jodi Duncan. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Leslie; daughter, Nicole Roberts; son-in-law, Ian; grandchildren, Connor, Calla and Alison; son-in-law, Terry Aben; grandson, Jasper Duncan Aben; sister, Jeannie Nichol and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Jim’s incredible life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 1:00 pm-3:30 pm in The Courtney Room Restaurant at the Magnolia Hotel, 619 Courtney Street. The family would like to thank Jim’s family doctor, Dr. Timothy Troughton, and all the nurses at Hospice for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Hospice, 3rd Floor, Richmond Pavilion, Royal Jubilee Hospital, 1952 Bay St, Victoria, BC V8R 1J8.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
18 Responses
Jim was a great guy………I will miss his laughter and wild stories.
We worked together off and on for several years and always enjoyed his company.
Rest in peace my friend.
Don
Jim was dear friend. We have so many great memories our times together and a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. Les, love to all your family.
Leslie, Nicole, Ian. We are so saddened to learn of Jim’s passing and send our deepest condolences to your entire family. We trust you will find much comfort knowing that he was so well respected in our community.
God bless you Jimmy, may you rest in peace.
Bill Phillips
Sandi Playsted
Our condolences to Leslie, Nicole and family. Always smiling, a twinkle in his eye and with lots of funny tales to tell, he will be missed by many and cherished by those who loved him.
Randy and Leslie Lee
Uncle Jim – for all the kindness, caring, support and guidance you shared so selflessly- ensuring all those left to enjoy your extraordinary legacy made the most of every moment – I am so grateful. On behalf of myself, Sande, Brian & my boys Aedan & Zach, thank you for all that your were and always sharing your gifts with humour and grace. Auntie Les & Nicole, Ian, Connor, Calla & Alison may you find solace in your grief of a life very well lived and a model never to be duplicated
Leslie and family, please accept my most heartfelt condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Leslie and Nichole, my thoughts are with you both as the world loses “Jimmy”, you have lost a wonderful husband and father. Over the last forty years, having Jim’s confidence could not have been more important to me. I deeply respect him and admire his achievements.
Jim was an amazing husband and the most amazing father. We will love him to eternity.