James (Jim) Moris Van Os

Beloved husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather, predeceased by his parents Mary and John, Survived by his wife of 71 years Marie, sons Doug (Karen), Brian, Don, and daughter Barbara Dolman (Don), 11 grandchildren Gayle Gray, Gary, Jennifer Procyk, Jillian, Tobe, Sarah, Hannah, Emma, Lucas, Turner and Cassidy Dolman, 10 great grandchildren.

Jim was born on the family farm in Elfros, SK. and spent a lot of his high school years in Wadena, SK. He was from a large family of 10 (5 brothers and 4 sisters). He has one surviving sibling Ken. Jim moved to BC in 1947 and started working at Fraser Mills in Millardville. His career lasted 35 years with the majority working for Crown Zellerbach. Jim was a loyal employee and a respected supervisor at Fraser Mills. On his 90^th birthday he joked that he collected his pension longer than he worked. He lived in New Westminster (Sapperton) until 1969 and then settled in Coquitlam where he and Marie lived in the same home for 50 years.

Jim was active in the sporting community in New Westminster coaching minor hockey in the early 1950s, Little League and Babe Ruth baseball and managed youth soccer teams at Sapperton Park in New Westminster in the late 50’s to the middle 1960s. In his retirement years Jim worked the pass gate at Salmonbellie lacrosse games.  This allowed him to take in Sr. Lacrosse games in New Westminster and Coquitlam with his brother John and also allowed him to reconnect with many of the youth athletes he coached.  Jim and Marie supported their children in every activity they were involved in. They attended baseball, softball and basketball games around the lower mainland and supported their daughter when she was involved with Job’s Daughters. He loved his grandkids and great grandkids attending many of their school concerts, dancing events or sporting events. Jim loved to curl and was a founding member of the Fraser Mills Curling League. He curled into his Sr. years at the Royal City Curing club. Jim was a true farmer always growing fresh vegetables in his garden something he did into his 90s. He enjoyed participating in hockey pools with the boys from the mill.  One of Jim’s passions was playing cards (smear and crib) and he took pride in conning his next victim into believing he had a poor hand. Many weekends were spent playing cards with family and friends.

Jim was a true gentleman and family man and had a good relationship with his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. The family home was always open for friends or family. He always was available to listen to his children and offered advice only when asked. Right up to the end of his life his only wish was to make sure Marie was taken care of.

The family would like to thank the staff on the 5^th floor at the Royal Columbian Hospital for their dedicated and professional care and the staff on the Alouette Residence at Nicola Lodge in Port Coquitlam for their care and dedication.

A Celebration of Life will take place January 25, 1:00 pm at First Memorial Funeral Services Burkeview. 1340 Dominion Ave, Port Coquitlam, BC. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be sent to the Alzheimer Society of BC.

You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.