December 18, 1941 - September 8, 2024
In loving memory ~
We are saddened to announce the death of Nigel James. He died peacefully from natural causes with his beloved wife of 54 years, Gillian, by his side. He leaves behind to mourn him his son Ben, several relatives and many friends. He is survived by his grandchildren Jasmine, Zendar and Pike. Nigel's youngest son, Nick, predeceased him dying of cancer in 2019.
Nigel was educated at Nottingham High School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from where he was commissioned into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). During his time as a British Army officer, he served in British Honduras (now Belize) and Germany.
In 1980, Nigel was posted to Ottawa as an attache officer to the Canadian Armed Forces. This led to him and his family deciding to remain in Canada. In total, he served the British and Canadian militaries for 37 years. After retiring from the military, Nigel moved to British Columbia.
Nigel had an enthusiasm for life and was an avid sportsman. He was active in rugby, orienteering, sailing, skiing, cycling, running, parachuting and curling. He completed four Ironman Canada triathlon events along with traditional marathons. Giving back, Nigel volunteered as a guide for blind skiers, a Cub Scout assistant, with the Special Olympics as well as serving on the Grand Forks Library Board and Recreation Commission.
In 2019 Nigel was declared legally blind - which he dealt with in his usual pragmatic manner. He later developed dementia eventually leading to his residing at Ivy House in Grand Forks where he died.
We would like to thank all the staff at Ivy House for their wonderful care of Nigel. We could not have asked for better.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2025.