Obituary of Jim Elaschuk

ELASCHUK, James Roger (Jim)

June 23, 1944 – Shaunavon, Saskatchewan

January 27, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

James (Jim) Roger Elaschuk, age 77, golf nut, ladies’ man, avid James Patterson fan, and serial socializer passed away on the evening of Jan. 27, 2022, with daughter, Jena; brother, Kim; and life partner, Diane; by his side. 

Jim was brought into this world in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, eldest son to George and Marie (nee Dumontel) Elaschuk. Jim lived in Edmonton, Vancouver and area, Winnipeg, and Calgary.  When he moved to Calgary, that was it, he never wanted to move again.  He instantly became involved in the Calgary community.  He joined the Theatre Calgary Board of directors, sat on an advisory committee to the Board for the Alberta Lung Association, assisted in organizing the Festival of Trees for several years and sat on numerous golf committees and boards to improve the enjoyment of the game for all. 

Jim worked in various management & executive positions with the Royal Bank, Bank of Montreal, Canada Trust, and ended his working life at Action Restoration as the CFO.  He always felt that when he quit having fun in a position, it was time to move on; and that is exactly what he did. No one could ever accuse Jim of being politically correct or having a filter.  He would do the research to better his understanding and then commit to his opine on the topic, be it politics, oil and gas, etc.  If you wanted to change his mind, you had better bring the facts!

Jim loved to travel and in his late 20’s, spent eighteen months with a lifelong friend travelling throughout Europe.  His experiences and stories became a part of who he was.

Jim had a great love of all sports!  Some of them he skillfully played.  In school he participated in track and field, following in his mother’s footsteps.  He curled in Saskatchewan at a competitive level, nearly making it to the provincials and continued to curl in various leagues well into his 70’s.  Hockey was played in younger years in a farm team for the Oil Kings until a shoulder injury shifted him to the cheering section.  He became an avid Calgary Flames fan and enjoyed watching a good hockey game from the professionals all the way to the Timbits.  Golf became the go to sport in his adult life and he was always striving to improve his game, or anyone else’s if they were within earshot.  Jena and Diane both experienced many “teaching moments” with club in hand.  Jim had three holes-in-one… the last one on August 31, 2016; the same day he was diagnosed with cancer.  He celebrated in the clubhouse with many golf friends.

Jim’s daughter, Jena Mountain (Jonathan), was a source of great pride as he guided her through her growing years and into adulthood.  Nothing was more important to him than spending time with Jena, be it on a phone call or enjoying a game of golf together.  Parenting can be challenging at times, but Jim worked every day at building a strong relationship with Jena.  When Michael, Jim’s grandson, came along, Jim poured his heart into becoming the best grandpa he could be, loving every minute of their time together Jim and Diane loved their frequent trips to Indio, California; their “Happy Place”.  Jim was like a social magnet, gathering friends everywhere he went.  Neighbors, passersby, and golf associates were quickly invited for wine, coffee, conversation and laughs. These gatherings often included playing cards and Mexican Train, sometimes until three in the morning.  The invitations were frequent, and many gatherings took place.  Jim loved to laugh and smile and set out each day to bring out the same in others.   

As a social animal, Covid posed a new challenge.  We were both frightened that Jim would go crazy without people around.  Within a short time, he was actively looking for people he had worked with a long time ago and was reconnecting. He found sports mates, workmates, and friends that he had lost contact with.  He actively started calling cousins on both sides of his family, embracing zoom calls, and exchanging pictures and memories.  Even with his severe hearing impairment, he would spend at least four hours each day on the phone creating his covid social network.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, George (2005) and Marie (1999) Elaschuk, and by Diane’s parents, William (Bill) and Helen (nee Frey) Miller.  He is survived by his life partner of 26 years, Diane Cross; younger brother, Kim (Barb) Elaschuk; sisters-in-law, Violet, Shirley, and Marjorie; daughter, Jena (Jonathan) Mountain; grandson, Michael Jubenville; numerous nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, aunts, and cousins.

Jim leaves Winston, his Calgary and Indio shadow; they would enjoy time together on a bark around, visiting, cutting the grass, or just puttering around the house & yard.

Jim fought an amazing battle against metastasized throat and neck cancer from August 2016 to January 27, 2022.  He participated in a trial drug in an effort to extend his life (which it did), but primarily to prevent another family from facing what his had to.  Well, you did it Jim, the drug has been approved in Canada!

Jim hated funerals and did everything in his power to avoid going to them.  If we dared to plan one for him, he’d probably find a way to miss it.  He did, however, love celebrations with plenty of socializing, laughing and storytelling.  So, per his request, a Celebration of Life will be held when friends and family may gather in the warmth of summer to share a smile and a chuckle in his honor.

Thank you to family and friends that were our support throughout the cancer fighting years and Dr. Hao and Dr. Webster and support staff at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre.

The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Autism Society of Alberta or the Alberta Cancer Foundation. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of James Elaschuk, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.