James Kidd

After 68 years living life to its fullest, Jim has passed on to his next adventure. Although it was never going to feel like enough time, we were blessed to have so many years worth of memories and lessons learned from Jim. He is predeceased by his father and mother, step-father and older brother.

He was born at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC, to Melville and Florence (nee Kellett) Kidd. Sadly, Mel passed away when Jim was just a baby. Jimmy grew up with his mum, his sister Pat, and brother Mike, and later his step-father Dudley Lawrance, at their family home in Burnaby on Kensington Ave.

During his childhood, Jim spent many summers at his uncle’s resort at Canim Lake, B.C. There, he learned to ride and take care of horses at a young age, and his life-long love of fishing began. An avid athlete, he was active in school sports as well as student council and band. He continued to play on many teams with friends over the years, including fastball, ball hockey and football, and not to be forgotten, the P.T. cycle club.

After graduating high school from Burnaby North in 1971, he was initiated into the Teamsters Local 31 the same year and was a proud member for 51 years. In 1972, he joined Reimer Express in their warehouse, moving on to driving the semi trucks in the city and eventually across the border in later years. He was very involved in the union, as a shop steward, on the Executive Board and as a Business Agent.

On July 8, 1978, he married the love of his life, Suzanne (nee Bowering). They welcomed their first child, Matthew in 1983, followed by Janelle in 1986, Bryan in 1989 and Harris in 1991. The family moved from Jim’s childhood home in Burnaby to Port Coquitlam in 1991. Jim became an integral part of communities wherever he went, joining many sports teams and later volunteering for his kids’ teams, as well as school trips and events.

Jim and Suzanne shared a love of travel, and took their family camping every summer, usually to Jim’s favourite places in the Cariboo. In 2018, they bought their retirement dream, a lakefront home on Deka Lake, where Dad spent most of his final years, fishing , hosting friends and family for countless visits. He loved being a grandfather and spending time with his grandsons, especially at Deka taking them out in the boat, teaching them to fish, regaling them with stories of all the cats and dogs that had been his companions over the years.

After a long and courageous fight against cancer, Jim passed away peacefully on March 30 in Maple Ridge. He was surrounded by love; his wife of 43 years, Suzanne, all his children, their partners, and a nephew were there by his side.

Jim is lovingly remembered by Suzanne, their children and grandchildren: Matthew, Sam and their sons Remington and Jesse; Janelle, Matt and their sons Miles and James; Bryan and Maria; and Harris and Jamie. Also by his sister Pat, and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. He will live in our hearts always, as a kind, fearless protector of people and animals. He was always there when you needed him. It didn’t matter who you were, family, friend, co-worker, neighbour or acquaintance.

We are grateful for Jim’s resilient nature. It gave us years with our treasured husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin and friend with memories we’ll cherish forever. He will be deeply missed by so many.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the BC Cancer Foundation, the BC SPCA or a charity of your choice.

We invite you to share your favourite memories or photos of Jim on this website, or in-person at his service.