Obituary of James Eric BRITTEN

January 1, 1947 – Halifax, Nova Scotia
September 9, 2020 - Chestermere, Alberta

It is with profound sadness we announce the loss of our Opa, Jim Britten on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at the age of 73 years.

James Eric Britten was born  January 1, 1947 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His family moved to Ottawa in the mid-fifties where Jim grew up in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood until he joined the RCAF in 1967.

Graduating as an Aircraft Electrician, Jim served in various squadron locations including Uplands, Greenwood, Shearwater, Bagotville, and at HMCS Athabaskan, Rockcliffe and Borden, Ontario.  An accomplished technician, Jim also excelled at leadership skills which resulted in his rapid promotion through the ranks culminating as Chief Warrant Officer.

After retiring from the RCAF, Jim kept busy serving his community through volunteer work with Rotary, at home and internationally in France, Australia, Dominican Republic and Chicago, Illinois.

Throughout his life, Jim loved to travel. He and Dorothy travelled and cruised to numerous destinations during their retirement years.  Many such trips were taken with his grandchildren – Milica, Mariana, and Merik, seeing the world and learning from Opa.  Being able to watch his grandchildren grow and participate in their passion of martial arts brought him immeasurable pleasure.

If the measure of a man is the love and respect, he engenders in those around him, then we have all lost a giant among men. May we all see his like again in our lifetimes. There is no salve for our wounds, but time, and the knowledge that his suffering is at an end. The grief we feel is his due; a life so well lived should be honoured with such mourning. As his family, we look forward to a time when we can all remember him fondly, with the joy and laughter in our heart that he created so often and so effortlessly.

Jim is survived by Dorothy, his loving wife; his son Chris (Biljana); his grandchildren Milica, Mariana, and Merik; his brother John; sister-in-law Sandra; nieces and nephews; Andrew (Holly), Amy (Chris), Sarah (Marcel), Jennifer (Aaron); Aunt Thelma, cousins Nancy (Gary), Jim, Shirley, Paul (Ann-Louise), Kathy, Pat, Mike (Darlene), Pat (Elizabeth) and Mary plus many other family members and friends. Jim was predeceased by his parents Jim and Margaret Britten, his brother David, and his sister-in-law Pat.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Jim's name to the Canadian Transplant Association or the Rotary Club of Dartmouth East.

Jim’s memorial Celebration of Life will reflect his exuberant love of life, family, and friends.   His celebration will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.  Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on James’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of James Britten, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Eastside, 5388 Memorial Drive NE, Calgary, AB T2A 3V9, Telephone: 403-248-8585.