On September 23rd, in his107th year, James (Jim) Ashworth passed away peacefully with family at his side. A cherished husband, father, father-in-law, uncle and friend to so many. Born in Cranbrook in 1919, Jim moved to Invermere when he was three. He left to join the war effort in 1941, training as a pilot in Canada before shipping off to Scotland. He was assigned to the Royal Air Force 20 Squadron in India, where he flew Hurricanes against enemy forces. After the war, Jim continued to serve in the RCAF, working at NORAD and as the Commanding Officer at the Tofino Radar Station.

In 1965, while stationed in St Hubert, Quebec, Jim met and married his wife Gaetane. He retired shortly afterwards, and brought her home to the Columbia Valley in 1966. Their daughter Valerie was born the following year.

Jim was happiest in the outdoors and worked for many years with Hofert’s Christmas Tree farm – the perfect job.  He loved to fish, and built his own smokehouse out of a used freezer and eavestrough pipe. He supported ‘re-use and recycle’ long before the formal programs we have now.

“Deeds, not words” – the motto of the RAF 20 Squadron that Jim took to heart each day. During the pandemic, at the age of 101, he walked 101 blocks to raise money for the local food bank and to also raise the spirits of the local residents.

Jim’s family would like to thank Dr. Mannheimer, the nurses and the staff at the Invermere hospital for the respect, dignity and care that was provided to him.  We also want to recognize Karl and the Home and Community Care team for their support prior to and during Jim’s time at the Columbia Garden Village, where he was so happy for the last few months of his life. Sincere thanks to all the care workers and staff for making him feel welcome, safe and well cared for at CGV.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at the Invermere Legion Saturday, October 18th at 2pm, for all who knew and loved him. If you wish to honor his memory, please consider making a donation to the Columbia Valley Food Bank – Jim Ashworth Fund.  https://valleyfoundation.ca/columbia-valley-food-bank-jim-ashworth-fund/

To learn more about Jim’s time as a World War II Hurricane pilot, visit Elinor Florence’s blog page at https://www.elinorflorence.com/blog/rcaf-burma/