June 10, 1933 - January 20, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
With great sadness, the family of Jim Griffith announces his passing, at the age of 89, after a very brief and unexpected illness at White Rock, on January 20, 2023.
Jim is survived by his children John Griffith, Kathy Remple (Tony), Kelly Griffith (Darwin), Jim (Anna) Griffith, stepchildren Gay Van Suri, Jay (Kathy) Willman and Brenda Willman. As well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter and his adored kitty, Sophie.
Jim is predeceased by his beloved wife Cherie Griffith (November 9, 2022), his sister Betty Hoover, and his stepdaughter Crystal Willman.
Jim was born in Port Hardy, B.C., to John Davis Griffith and Dorothea (Strachan) Griffith and spent the majority of his childhood growing up on his mother's family farm on Hornby Island. As a young man, Jim became a Red Seal heavy-duty mechanic and moved to 100 Mile House where he worked for the Bond Bros, then eventually for the Ministry of Transportation for many years.
For the last few years of his working career, Jim moved to Fort McMurray to work for Syncrude and it was up there that he and Cherie met, fell in love and married.
Jim was a quiet, kind, and gentle soul. Some of the things that brought him great joy were touring the Okanagan and checking out the wineries, trips south in the winter to Arizona and California, touring Canada and the USA with their travel trailer, attending BC Lions games (they had season passes), attending professional figure skating competitions and championships in Canada and the USA, drawing, sand art, volunteering at a raptor rescue, reading to the elderly at the Peace Arch Hospital, and playing bridge.
Jim was very proud of his Kwakwaka'wakw/Kwakiutl ancestry, learning all he could of the culture and traditions and displaying with great pride the hide drums he had made and most recently his sacred circle/medicine wheel.
Some of Jim's most cherished times were spent on Hornby Island where he, Cherie and Betty would stay at his cousin Owen's, visit and explore the island they loved so much.
A private family gathering and service will be held at a later date at Hornby Island where Jim and Cherie will be returned to the family resting place at Ford's Cove.
Additional Photo(s):