1945
James
2025
James Cairns
January 22, 1945 — April 9, 2025
James Harris Cairns (1945 - 2025)
James Harris Cairns (80), fondly known as Jim (JC, Sir, JimmyJ, Dad, and Papa), of Gillies Bay, BC, died surrounded by his family on April 9, 2025, after a brave battle with cancer. Born January 22, 1945, to Francis and Marie in Vancouver, BC, Jim was the eldest of five children.
After graduating from high school, Jim pursued a law enforcement career, working for the Vancouver City Police Department. Over time, his career shifted to work as a probation officer, inspiring Jim to complete his Bachelor of Arts in psychology at UBC, graduating in 1978. Jim had a lengthy and varied career, working for the BC government’s Ministry of Attorney General, which he found very rewarding. After taking an early retirement, Jim kept busy with several part-time jobs and volunteer work, including being a proud volunteer firefighter for the Gillies Bay Fire Department on Texada Island.
Jim and Jean (Senft) were married in 1973, with Jim’s children Catherine and Donald by their sides. Jim and Jean had two more children, Tanis and Allyson, in the following years. They started their lives together in North Delta, then lived in Aldergrove, Sardis, Victoria, and Gillies Bay.
Jim was a force of nature, a man filled with humour, a zest for life, and unending energy. His family meant more to him than anything else and was something he often talked about. Jim was also a competitive athlete and passionate sports fan and could often be found cheering on his favourite teams or participating in local athletic activities. For the past 17 years, Jim was either enjoying cottage life on Texada Island or travelling the world with Jean, family, and friends.
Anyone who knew Jim knew he was an incredibly caring father and husband. Jim’s loving spirit is carried on by his wife Jean, their children Cathy (Chris), Don (Lora), Tanis (Oliver), and Ally (Adil), their 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in peace were his parents, Francis and Marie.
The family requests that flowers and notes be sent to Amica on the Gorge in Victoria. A funeral, welcoming all whose lives were touched by Jim, will be held Friday, June 6, 2025, 2 pm, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 3787 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, BC.
James Harris Cairns (80), fondly known as Jim (JC, Sir, JimmyJ, Dad, and Papa), of Gillies Bay, BC, died surrounded by his family on April 9, 2025, after a brave battle with cancer. Born January 22, 1945, to Francis and Marie in Vancouver, BC, Jim was the eldest of five children.
After graduating from high school, Jim pursued a law enforcement career, working for the Vancouver City Police Department. Over time, his career shifted to work as a probation officer, inspiring Jim to complete his Bachelor of Arts in psychology at UBC, graduating in 1978. Jim had a lengthy and varied career, working for the BC government’s Ministry of Attorney General, which he found very rewarding. After taking an early retirement, Jim kept busy with several part-time jobs and volunteer work, including being a proud volunteer firefighter for the Gillies Bay Fire Department on Texada Island.
Jim and Jean (Senft) were married in 1973, with Jim’s children Catherine and Donald by their sides. Jim and Jean had two more children, Tanis and Allyson, in the following years. They started their lives together in North Delta, then lived in Aldergrove, Sardis, Victoria, and Gillies Bay.
Jim was a force of nature, a man filled with humour, a zest for life, and unending energy. His family meant more to him than anything else and was something he often talked about. Jim was also a competitive athlete and passionate sports fan and could often be found cheering on his favourite teams or participating in local athletic activities. For the past 17 years, Jim was either enjoying cottage life on Texada Island or travelling the world with Jean, family, and friends.
Anyone who knew Jim knew he was an incredibly caring father and husband. Jim’s loving spirit is carried on by his wife Jean, their children Cathy (Chris), Don (Lora), Tanis (Oliver), and Ally (Adil), their 11 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Preceding him in peace were his parents, Francis and Marie.
The family requests that flowers and notes be sent to Amica on the Gorge in Victoria. A funeral, welcoming all whose lives were touched by Jim, will be held Friday, June 6, 2025, 2 pm, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 3787 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, BC.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Cairns, please visit our flower store.
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