December 27, 1951 - June 30, 2014
Jim passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
Predeceased by parents, Kenneth and Mary Creelman, niece Jamie Lynn Norberg, sister Barb Nistuk, and sister Judy Norberg.
Left behind to remember, Step-son Aaron Soprocolle (Sarah), grandchildren Shayla and Oliver, stepson Beckett Soprocolle (Haley), grandchildren Connor and Jenna, sisters Vicki Erickson (Lloyd), Cathy Watson (Brian), Kelly Thomas (Terry), brothers-in-law Ron Norberg and Henry Nistuk, nieces and nephews, Ronalee Navid (Rod), Richard Nistuk (Heather), Steve Nistuk (Kailey), Karin Widmer (Ken), Don Erickson (Kelly), Doug Erickson (Teresa), Shane Watson, Tracey Watson (Terry), Lindsay Thomas, Cole Thomas (Amber), Lee Thomas and many great nieces and nephews, all very dear to his heart.
Born and raised in Campbell River, Jim was a genuine man who cared very deeply for his family and friends and loved to be involved in their lives whenever possible. Equipped with a great sense of humour and an interest in assorted musical instruments he was always willing and able to entertain. He was a hard working man and spent many years as a heavy duty mechanic on the BC coast where in his spare time read much about history and even the bible, leading him to develop an interest in his own heritage which, like our sister Judy, he would share with family in later years.
In his early 20s he left on an adventure and worked for a time in the Okanagan before heading on to Alberta.
Jim also took many flying lessons, but sailing won that dream over. He had moved to the Cowichan Valley by then and acquired his first sailboat and while living in Crofton, met the Comptons and the Sawdens who soon became part of his family.
Working in the Crofton area finding employment became a challenge, so he went to Alberta where he got his Red Seal ticket in Heavy Duty Mechanics, then on to Fort McMurray to get his fair share of the Oil Sands. Here he stayed while spending time off sailing at his home in Crofton until the first cancer came. Getting through that was a miracle and later, sadly he was struck with his final blow. Of course being who he was he took the news with courage and optimism and never lost hope until months later when he was hospitalized for his last week in this world, during which sister Vicki was his angel on earth and we all will be indebted to her for ever.
A slightly tumultuous life he lived, but always family was first and foremost for all of his days. We would be delighted to have anyone who was a friend to join us at a later date to fulfill his last wish and gather together for a “Wake” in Jim’s honour. During this time we can come up with all sorts of stories I’m sure and we would love to hear them all. For now we will leave that date to be determined, but I suspect somewhere in August 2014 at our sister’s farm in Nanaimo, BC and if you have an interest in this occasion, please email me at tnkwest@hotmail.com for an update.
“For Life and Death are one, even as the River and the Sea are one” Khalil Gilbran