Obituary of COTSWORTH – James Bern

December 8, 1925 – November 5, 2010 Jim “Bern” Cotsworth passed away on Friday, November 5, 2010 at the age of 84 years. Bern is survived by his loving wife of fifty eight years, Peggie (Jean Margaret); two brothers, Bob of Moncton, NB and Peter (Joan) of Mill Bay, Vancouver Island. He is also survived by six nieces and nephews and their families across Canada. He was predeceased by his sister Barbara (Don) Sara of Coquitlam, B.C. Bern was born in York, England to Frank and Edith Cotsworth and came to Guelph, ON from Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1940 when the family returned to Canada following the outbreak of war. In spite of his tendency to bypass classes, his level of intelligence and an enquiring active mind allowed him to cruise effortlessly thorough all levels of academe in compressed time. He received his education at “Inst”, Belfast, N. Ireland, Guelph Collegiate and University of Manitoba (B.Com). He served two years in WWII in the R.C.N.V.R., latterly as a signalman aboard the corvette “Petrolia”. He took his discharge in Winnipeg where he completed his university education and then passed his CA examinations in limited time (a medalist enroute) before moving to Calgary in 1952 with his bride of ten days, the lovely Peggie. A solid treasury career in the oil industry with Westcan Corp, Pathfinder Petroleums, Gibson Petroleum Group (V.P.), Pan Ocean Oils and Sultran Ltd (V.P.) was completed by diverse recreational pursuits. Bird hunting, golf, fishing, curling, bridge, gin rummy, all played a part in his life. He was a long time member of The Glencoe Club, The Petroleum Club, The Calgary Golf and Country Club and was a lifetime member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta. Friends and family will remember him as a person of strong inherited principles founded in ironclad integrity and thoughtfulness to others. They will also remember his sense of humour – ever ready with a quip, a play on words, a quick response, an original song or rhyme and, for a select few, a birthday cassette. Devoted to each other, he and Peggie shared many delightful times together with a broad selection of friends. A gathering to celebrate Bern’s life will be held at The Calgary Golf and Country Club (One and one half blocks west of Elbow Drive on 50th Avenue S.W.) on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family wishes to express their gratitude for the wonderful care provided by Dr. Patrick Wong and the staff of Nursing Unit 73 at the Rockyview General Hospital. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (888) 412-4222. www.albertacancer.ca/memorial. In living memory of Bern Cotsworth, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403)243-8200