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May 9, 1926 - August 4, 2025
James led a remarkable life. In his final days, he was committed to putting in hours of steps with his walker and never lost his charm or wry quips. He is survived by his wife of seventy-six years Marion; two children, Dan (Diane) and Pat (Gordon); seven grandchildren, Andrew (Erin), Katherine, Peter (Katie), Susan, Rose (Mick), Timothy (Zoe) and Isabel; and nine great grand-children, Charlotte, Owen, Oliver, Harrison, Angus, Violet, Saorise, Ivy, and Odessa with a new one any day.
A true gentleman, a man of keen intellect and a formidable character, James was always game for an adventure or a challenge. He was born in Haddington, Scotland, immigrating to Canada as a young child. Raised in Victoria, BC, he attended Saint Louis College, where he excelled as a student and natural athlete. James volunteered in the Canadian Army at age 18 during WWII and soon found himself driving a Sherman tank. Thanks to the Veterans Charter, James became the first Cairnie to attend university - Victoria College and then UBC. He met the lovely Marion Griffin in a math class at ‘ the castle,' soon to become his wife, lifelong partner, and best friend. The children followed along with a distinguished career in education.
Starting at Lake Cowichan Secondary School, later SJ Willis and Oak Bay in Victoria, then Argyle in North Vancouver, James built his reputation as a teacher, basketball coach and administrator. Deeply dedicated to the ideals of public education, James became president of the Lake Cowichan Teachers’ Association, the Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association and, in 1962/63, president of the BC Teachers’ Federation. Famous for his way with words, his wit, and can-do attitude, James spent the last twenty years of his career with the Federation. In retirement, he was enlisted to establish the BC College of Teachers, the Teachers’ Qualification Service, to chair the BC Teachers’ Pension Board, and more.
James made it to 99, often it seemed, on sheer determination alone. A lifelong athlete, the once-star point guard at Vic College competed all his life. An accomplished squash player, skier, and cyclist, he biked along the Danube in his late sixties, took up snowboarding in his seventies and practiced tai chi into his eighties. To no one’ s surprise and everyone’ s consternation, he bought a manual VW GTI to celebrate his 90th birthday. He was fiercely independent to the end and loved that car with a passion.
Dad was a writer throughout his career, and in retirement, his emails to family and friends were long and colourful and plentiful. He would have relished in editing this obituary - very likely rewriting it entirely. He was much loved and will be long remembered.
A gathering of family will be held at a later date. To share a memory, please visit: mckenziefuneralservices.com
