Father Jim left his physical body lovingly surrounded by close family and friends while also in the loving thoughts of family and friends living afar.
He said: “LOVE is a direct line to GOD.”
Jim recognized that his life was a journey of faith that began with a gift of a tiny Gideon’s Bible in Grade Five.
Much later in life, after working in the Royal Canadian Air Force and the BC Forest Services and having been introduced to the Catholic Faith by a friend, John Schmitz, he was inwardly directed to enter Saint Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton to study Theology. From there, he went to Saint Paul’s Seminary in Ottawa where he completed his studies in Pastoral Counseling.
After several years as a Pastoral Associate in the military chaplaincy, he was ordained to the Priesthood in 1991. He served for a total of 20 years as a Roman Catholic Chaplain. He was incardinated in the Roman Catholic Military Ordinariate of Canada with whom he shared his faith in many communities across Canada.
Upon his retirement, he obtained his pilot’s license and travelled the world expanding his friendships wherever he went. But, once again, he was prompted toward his ministry, this time in the area of marriage. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Canon Law from St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. This allowed him to work with various marriage tribunals as a judge which he did until he was diagnosed with cancer last October at the age of 76.
In his final months, Jim made an effort to share his faith, commune with God and to experience joy up to his final breaths on this physical earth. He intended to reunite with much-loved family members in heaven which he imagined as a field of daisies where people wore white. After that, only God knows the continuation of his story.
A Funeral Mass presided by the Military Ordinariate of Canada, Bishop Scott McCaig, was held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel, on the 9th of February 2022 at 10:00 am. To watch a recording of the service click on the following link.
https://funeraweb.tv/diffusions/46833
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
26 Responses
My Sincere condolences to your family. Fr. Bekkema always seemed happy as a fill-in pastor at Our Lady Star of the Sea, and, as others have already noted, would always say at the end of his reflection “Do you want to hear a joke?” I will miss him.
Fr Jim will remain in the hearts of all the people who loved him. He was so accomplished and yet so humble. He was a gentle soul and a great comedian. His faith was truly inspiring. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart chapel community will miss you. Rest in the love of Jesus.
So sad to learn of Father Jim’s passing. We met around 1988 in Cornwallis base, NS having been introduced by my friend, Paula Fry who was married to the protestant chaplin, Rev. Wallace N. C. Fry.
It was Easter time and spent the whole weekend attending services where Jim was the priest. We became friends and he promised to come to Halifax for May 1st for my 40th birthday and he was going to rent a red convertible car and take me out for my birthday supper. Instead he phoned from Brampton and told me with much thought he had decided to become a priest as he was in training only at Cornwallis..I told him wow..never lost a man to God before and wished him well in his life’s endeavors. We only reconnected a year ago when I came across the write up in the paper from Cornwallis with his picture in it. Sadly with my throat cancer..wasn’t able to speak with him but just chatted a little on facebook. He seemed very devoted to new areas where he could reach out and help others..hence the Judge for the Marriage Tribunal..trusting he has been reunited with his sister, Susan, and he is at peace in the presence of our God.
My condolences to all of Jim’s family and friends..we were blessed to have known him.
Sincerely,
Diane Comeau Halifax, NS
My sincere condolences to family and friends of Fr Jim, my thoughts and prayers
are with you at this time. RIP Fr Jim and may perpetual Light Shine upon you always through
the Mercy of God.
Dear Family of Father Jim , sincere condolences at the loss of such a humorous , humble Priest and friend to many of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Chapel 19 Wing Comox . Our small chapel family were happy to welcome Fr.Jim as a fill in Priest over the years . He always asked at the end of Mass “ would you like to hear a joke? “ We will miss your humor Love z as nd Great Faith you shared with us . I know you are keeping the angels laughing now . Rest In Peace Father Jim
So saddened to hear of Padre Jim’s passing. Jim and I served as Chaplains at CFB Shilo. It was a sincere pleasure to have known Jim and to have the privilege to work along side him. Jim was not just a colleague in ministry, but a personnel friend. Jim was a person of strong faith which was quietly demonstrated in his daily life and his relationship with those around him. Bev and I fondly recall our times with Jim, be it over a meal, over a coffee or practicing with the community choir at Shilo (Jim had a powerfully pleasant voice). Since we parted our ways at Shio we have remained in contact, be it just a card at Christmas. This Christmas we received the saddest of news when Jim informed us of his illness. I was sincerely at a loss for words.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.
Ed & Bev Samson
We are very pleased to read all the condolences from my brother’s friends and colloquies, it seems they knew Jim well.
Yes, Jim had a great sense of humour. One of my best memories was when golfing in C.F.B. Shilo when finishing on the 18th the group behind us, who couldn’t see us, hit a ball that rolled down the hill behind us. I said, jokingly, “we should throw it back up the hill”, Jim said no we should throw it ahead 20 feet”. That was my brother, that guy would have found his ball and said, “Wow I really crushed that”. We left it where is landed.
My brother was a Gentleman and a Gentle Man.
It was very sad having him diagnosed in early November and then dying on 20 January unable to catch his breath and speak.
Jim has gone now to see a niece, Susan and nephew David who passed recently as well as his sister Alice who passed a year ago and his brother-in-law Bill Porterfield.
The Lord has a place reserved for Jim in Heaven.
We will miss you Fr Jim Bekkema.
Bruce and Joan Bekkema and our family.
My deepest sympathies to the family of Father Jim. I had the good fortune of meeting Jim over 35 years ago at cfb Kingston. He will be forever missed. He was the kindest padre and friend and I will always be grateful for being able to share a small part of his world. Bless his soul and his family.
Love is indeed the direct line to God and you lived that love in word and deed. Father Jim filled-in for me for many years when I went on holiday and he made the moment count with each and ever person. Sacred to the memory dear brother priest and we shall miss you. Rest in the eternal presence of the one you served and loved.
Hopefully we’re really only saying ‘See y’a Later, Jim’. We truly miss your jovial kinship at our Gorge Vale SENGORVAl weekly gatherings. The Forces Padres & Chaplain contingent continue, most assuredly, to sustain we fretful warriors & Father Jim has finally completed his duties to God & The Queen with creditable distinction; BRAVO ZULU mate – we salute your dedication and most amiable friendship over this last decade here at Victoria.