James (Jim) Hay Morris, 70, of Fanny Bay, BC, passed away suddenly on January 1, 2014.
Born in Yellowknife, NWT, James moved to British Columbia to attend University of BC, graduating in the field of biological sciences. He worked as a teacher, spending his summers commercially fishing.
Throughout his life, Jim was an avid artist, drawing, painting, sculpting in clay, carving in wood and many other mediums. Since 1987 Jim has operated Hitec Screen Printing in Courtenay, where he put his expertise to work creating designs for silkscreen printing and promotional purposes.
When he wasn鈥檛 hard at work in the shop, Jim was out hiking in the mountains of Vancouver Island, kayaking or canoeing along the ocean shores or up the local rivers with his soul-mate Margaret, where they both enjoyed many happy hours together. Jim鈥檚 grandson Tyler often accompanied them in his early years and later made sure Gramp was always up to speed on weather and mountain conditions, discovering new trails to explore.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Alex and Ernestine, and brother Bill. He is survived by his partner of 26 years, Margaret McKenzie of Fanny Bay; daughter Heather Morris (Rob) of Comox, grandson Tyler Morris; son Rick (Brenda) Morris (Alex,Nicola, Randy) of Prince George; brothers Ian (Susan) and Robert (Kathy); sisters Joan, Kathleen (Darcy) Fontaine, Barbara (Norm) Morris, Erna (Mike) Smith, Audrey (Rick) Faktor, and June; step-children of a previous marriage: Lana Hartland (Daniel and Kelsey), Tracey (Ulrich) Dyck (Spencer, Trevor), Rick Hartland (Justin, Cain), and extended family Tiffany Quillman (James, Jole).
A private memorial service was held in Fanny Bay. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC.