James "Jim" Robert Selby Park

PARK, James "Jim" Robert Selby

James “Jim” Robert Selby Park, age 84 of Calgary, AB passed peacefully from this world into the arms of the angels, at the Southwood Hospice on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at approximately 11:11 am, with his best friend, Ruby McHugh by his side.

Jim was born on August 21, 1933 in Calgary, AB, the son of James and Edith Park. Jim is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Heather Thomson; grandchildren, Cheyanne (Corey) Caton, Tyler (Sheena) Thomson and J.R. Chad (Candance) Thomson; great grandchildren, Hayes, Cache, Colten, Harlow and Trait, all of Black Diamond, AB; stepson, Brant (Jenny) Reding of Calgary, AB and Brad (Sue) Giddings, whom he considered a son. Jim was predeceased by his father, James; mother, Edith and son, J.R. Bruce Park.

Jim loved life and lived it large, his biggest joy was his grandchildren and if you knew him, you would have known them, as he would have told you stories of pride about each of them. Jim was passionate about many things, but his love was downhill skiing. He started skiing on a little ski hill outside of Turner Valley at 11 years of age, on a pair of skis made from wood barrels. He took great pleasure in teaching each of his grandchildren to ski at Panorama, by the time they were four. He continued to be an active member of the Calgary Senior’s Alpine Club, so enjoying the many ski trips and social gatherings with his ski club friends! Jim won a silver medal at the age of 79 in the Seniors Winter Games, telling everyone that he would be going for gold the following year, as he would be the youngest in his age group! Jim also greatly enjoyed fishing, spending many years flying his friends into the NWT and northern Saskatchewan; after losing his pilot’s license due to a heart attack, he started driving to Flin Flon every year with several of his fishing buddies and often with his grandson, Chad and his friends tagging along. Dad was also a craftsman, spending many hours in his workshop building pieces of beautiful furniture for family and friends.

We were all extremely blessed to have had him in our life, as a father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion (Br#285), 9202 Horton Road SW, Calgary, AB on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at 1:00 pm.

The family wishes to thank the many doctors and medical staff at the Rockyview Hospital and Southwood Hospice, for all their care and kindness. Dad always said, “the nurses are angels”. The family would also like to thank Bob and Brenda Kennedy and Ruby’s children, Brad Giddings and Dick Oakes for their friendship and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations being made in Jim’s memory directly to the Sheep River Health Trust, 11 Cimarron Common, Okotoks, AB, T1S 2E9 (www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/sheep-river-health-trust/) directed to the Oilfields Hospital, Black Diamond, AB, of which Jim’s mother, Edith was on the Board of Directors.