Jim Austin, beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather, passed away on August 17, 2022.
Born in 1934, Jim was raised on a farm near Delburne, Alberta, and left at an early age to make his way to Whitehorse, Yukon. He became an employee of Canadian Pacific Airlines, and he worked for the company for over 31 years as a licenced aircraft maintenance engineer. He was based in various cities and spent some time working on the DEW line. He took early retirement after spending a few years in management.
Jim and his wife June loved the north, and spent as much time as possible enjoying outdoor activities; canoeing, hiking, fishing, and hunting. After retirement, they began to spend winters in Arizona. They travelled in their motorhome across the southern US but spent most of their time in the south-west. As travel became more difficult, they settled in Yuma.
In 1997 they left the north and moved to Vernon, BC. They spent the next 25 years in the community of Desert Cove where they made many lasting friendships.
Jim leaves behind wife June, sons Robert and Charles, grandchildren Hailey, Amelia, Maya, and Josh, and great granddaughter Leona.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Jim Robert Austin August 17th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Armstrong, Province: Colombie britanique
I would like to extend my sincere sympathies to June and the Austin family. I was a CPAir Line Engineer based in Fort St John BC from 1979 to 1986 and regularly accompanied the B737 to Whitehorse YT (with my tool box) where I frequently enjoyed chatting with Base Maintenance Manager Jim Austin. I particularly remember Jim telling me about the mysterious disappearance of a young Commercial pilot and his girlfriend who were lost on a flight in his Harvard from Whitehorse to Vancouver via Prince Rupert in winter.
Just recently I learnt that a book was written in 1989 by author Jane Gaffin, late of Whitehorse, titled “EDWARD HADGKISS MISSING IN LIFE”. This book confirmed many of the details Jim had told me about that tragedy, three decades earlier and raised more mysteries. I would have loved to have talked to Jim about his earlier experiences on the DEW LINE. Incidentally I did meet up with Jim as well as Norn Randall (a former base engineer at Whitehorse) at one of our ‘Quarter Contrary in Aviation Club’ meetings in Richmond after Jim retired. Respectfully, Peter Sleeman Retired Air Canada 767 First Officer RICHMOND B.C.
Dearst June, Rob, Charles and Families.
I’m sorry for your loss, my heart is with you. Uncle Jim was the funniest Uncle anyone could ask for! We regaled in his stories of the north country with hunting and fishing tales. The one I enjoyed the most was the female moose following him through the bush land, she was so lonely. Many happy family times were spent visiting in their home and then there were always the visits to AB.
His many family members from AB will miss him tremendously.
God Sped Uncle