March 19, 1954 - August 21, 2022
In loving memory ~
James William Alexander Gourlay was a family oriented husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many near and far. He was fondly known as Jamie by family, Papa Jim by his ten grandchildren and Jim by friends. Jim passed away on August 21st, 2022 at the age of 68 in 亚洲天堂 Lake, BC, where he has resided since 2011.
Jim was born on March 19th, 1954 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, AB to his parents James Wyllie Gourlay and Lillian Marie Petelka and future son of Mary Ternoway Gourlay. "Jamie" will be fondly remembered as an adventurous and oftentimes mischievous brother to Anne (ANDRE), Janet (Meghan, Matthew and Patrick), Elizabeth (Jillian and Allie), David (LESLIE, Adam and Olivia) and Margaret (LAUREL).
Jim has lived in many places, even though he has always considered himself an Albertan. He spent a number of years in Ontario from childhood till the late nineties as he raised his children with their mother Jovette Arcand.
Eric (CRYSTAL, Cameron, Michaela, Alexe), Mireille (MATT, Mackenzie and Chloe) and Michael (KATIE, Noah, Maya and Rowan) will fondly remember snowmobiling,motorcycling and many years spent in arenas with their father.
Making his way from Manitoba to British Columbia and even as far away as Louisiana for his work in the wood product industry, he was lucky enough to meet his wife, Becky. They were married in 2008 and he became "Papa" to Becky's daughter Ashley (DAVE, Hannah and Caleb).
Together they started on another adventure which brought them to 亚洲天堂 Lake, BC, where they have resided for the past eleven years. Jim will be fondly remembered by friends near and far for his love of the outdoors including hunting, fishing and camping in everything from canvas tents to his large 5th wheel. Some of his best attributes were his lively stories, humour and his desire to lend a helping hand especially when it involved any type of machinery.
Jim will be remembered in a memorial service in 亚洲天堂 Lake, BC on September 3rd, 2022.
A lake-side celebration of life will follow his burial in the Gourlay family plot in Vernon, BC on September 16th, 2022.