Obituary of James George "Jim" Rickerby

EULOGY FOR JAMES GEORGE RICKERBY James George Rickerby, better known as Jim', was born on June 1st, 1933 in Grande Prairie, Alberta. He was the first of three children born to James and Alice Rickerby. Dad spent his first nine years in Wembley, Alberta and the remainder of his childhood in Sunnybrook and Dawson Creek. He attended Dawson Creek Elementary and South Peace High Schools. Dad worked at a variety of jobs over the years. He first started helping his father at his blacksmith shop at the age of 12. He then went on to work at Northland Theatre, Sunset Hardware, Scott Fruit, Canadian Freightways, Loiselle Transport, CP Transport, the B.C. government and lastly, as manager and bookkeeper at Fireside Glen where he resided. During his early years, Dad loved watching movies at the local movie theatre, listening to Hank Snow and Hank Williams' music, and playing in a local band with Sterling Cuthbert, Harold McQueen and Morris Tenborg. He loved music and over the years played the banjo, accordion, piano and guitar. Dad first met mom at high school and made a memorable' impression on her by pushing her face into the water fountain on many occasions! It obviously worked, as dad and mom were happily married and inseparable for over 61 years! Dad was a very community minded man. He loved making a difference in his city! He was a faithful member of the Elks Club, the Royal Canadian Legion, Auxiliary Police Force and COPS (Citizens on Patrol) for many years. Dad spent hundreds of hours volunteering in the community that he loved. Dad enjoyed doing a variety of activities. He liked gardening, dancing, curling, golfing, and solving a variety of puzzles. Even though Dad was rather reserved, he enjoyed his coffee times with old friends. As many of you know, Dad was a Home Body'. His favourite place was at home, but mom did manage to persuade him to take some trips with her. I think his favourite excursion was the one they took to Europe in 1991. Dad even thanked mom for' making him go'. Dad loved anything Irish' and was delighted that he was able to visit his father's village and homeland. Dad was a man of few words, but you always knew what was valuable to him. He loved us and our mom so well! When I think of Dad, these character qualities come to mind: honesty, integrity, hardworking, reliable, persevering, punctual, unconditional love, kindness, and courage. Dad overcame many hardships in his life! He kept going despite those challenges, the last of those being his health. He is our HERO and we will miss him terribly! Dad is fondly remembered by his loving wife, Jean (Paradowski) Rickerby, Rod and Colleen (Rickerby) Lawrence, James and Lynette Rickerby, Brian and Kathleen (Rickerby) Mycroft, sister, Mildred Kishelwich brother, Peter Rickerby, grandchildren Kent, Kaleigh, Gabrielle and Matthew and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Dad was predeceased by his father, James Alexander Rickerby, mother, Alice Matilda Rickerby, son, Kenneth James Rickerby, daughter, Lorna Jean Rickerby and grandson, Joshua Rhett Lawrence. Service 1:00 pm Monday, March 28, 2016 Senior Citizens Hall 1101 McKellar Ave DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada V1G 2S2 Interment Dawson Creek City Cemetery 1900 Alaska Avenue DAWSON CREEK, British Columbia, Canada