Obituary of Robert James Jim Valentine

Jim Valentine slipped away peacefully at the Foothills Medical Centre on Mother’s Day with his loving wife by his side, after a short but hard fought battle with cancer at the age of 58 years. He leaves behind his wife Anne Valentine; children Holly and Sean Gifford of Calgary; brother Les Valentine (Joan) of Lethbridge; sister Judy Fleming (Harold) of Barons and numerous nieces, “his girls”, of whom he was very proud. He also leaves his best friend Neil Milner of Calgary, along with many other close friends and his entire Safeway family. His beloved pugs, Daisy and Bailey, will also miss him tremendously. Jim was born in Moose Jaw, SK on January 25, 1950. His family then moved to Lethbridge where he attended school and the University of Lethbridge. He started working at Safeway in 1967 as a courtesy clerk while still in high school. During university and upon graduation he continued with Safeway and in 1983 he moved to Calgary and became an Acting Store Manager. He was then Safeway Store Manager in a number of locations until 1993, when he moved into Head Office to become a Manager of National Categories, responsible for coordination and buying of specific products for Safeway stores nation wide. He spent a number of very enjoyable years with the produce team and most recently with the meat buying team. In 2003 he received the prestigious President’s Award for outstanding achievement. Anne and Jim were married on Valentine’s Day 2001. Their time together was too short, but they were seven wonderful years. As his many friends will attest, Jim was a warm-hearted and generous man. He loved all his family and friends and hoped he made each one’s day a little happier. He truly loved to laugh and lived to love. A Service of Worship to God, in gratitude for the Life of Jim will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church (290 Edgepark Blvd. N.W.) on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at 4:00 P.M. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider being a blood donor or donations can be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 215 – 12 Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 1A2 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email jordanp@cancer.ab.ca. Special thanks to the staff of Foothills Emergency, ICU and Unit 81 for making his last weeks as comfortable as possible. In living memory of Jim Valentine, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.