Obituary of Jim Cuthbertson

February 15, 1936 – Paisley, Scotland

May 15, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

James Cuthbertson, beloved husband of Moira (nee Duffy) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, May 15, 2023, at the age of 87 years.

James (Jim) was born on February 15, 1936, at 19 Underwood Lane, in Paisley, Scotland, to Robert and Jessie Cuthbertson. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to a new house at 59 Motehill Road, in Paisley, where Jim, and his brothers, Robert and Donald, grew up.

Jim was educated at Abercorn Primary and Camphill Senior Secondary schools, graduating in 1952.  He then worked in the lab of Wotherspoons Starch works, then ICI, Nobel Div. at Ardeer, where among over products, they manufactured industrial explosives like TNT, and Nitroglycerine for the military. During this time, Jim was taking evening classes at Paisley Technical College (now West of Scotland University) graduating in 1959, with a Higher National Certificate in Chemistry.

In 1955, Jim met Moira at a dance, became friends, and were engaged in 1958. They were married on January 19, 1960, at Abbey Close Church in Paisley. In the spirit of adventure, and to see a bit of the world before settling down, the couple then moved to Montreal, Quebec, in April 1960. Their first child, Janice, was born in 1961, followed by their second, (James) Ian, in 1964. Meanwhile, Jim was attending Sir George Williams University (now Concordia), in Montreal, graduating in 1966 with a BS degree in Commerce.

After graduation, Jim accepted an offer of employment with Alchem, a water treatment company, and the family was moved to Vancouver, where they enjoyed West Coast living, until moving in 1970 to Prince George, BC. Jim enjoyed Prince George, where his children grew up swimming and skiing in winter, and canoeing, fishing and hiking in summer, and Moira prospered in her career as a teacher. 

In 1979, much to Moira’s chagrin (as she had to give up her teaching profession), the family moved to Calgary.  While in Calgary, Jim left Alchem and accepted a position with the Eimco Process division of Envirotech Corp.  This gave him a new engineering sector challenge, with sales responsibility for a territory across Western Canada with a focus on municipal, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining and other water equipment related industries.  This entailed more of a travel schedule, but Jim found the role very satisfying, allowing him to develop many friendships among his customers and colleagues.

Jim was active in several sports, including soccer, tennis, badminton, running (with the Hash House Harriers), canoeing, and hiking. This was curtailed with his first hip replacement operation in 1992, followed in 2019 with a second.  Jim and Moira were avid travellers, sharing experiences in destinations ranging from African Safaris, the Galapagos Islands, as well as cruises in the Arctic, the Antarctic, and many places in between.  

In 2019, with the children settled with their own families, Moira and Jim moved from Calgary to High River.  Jim described it as a quiet town, mostly devoid of annoyances such as traffic and noise.

Besides his loving wife, Jim is survived by his daughter Janice of Bragg Creek, her husband Ronald Goerzen, and their sons Scott (spouse Georgia) and Brian; as well as his son (James) Ian of Calgary, his wife Karen, and their daughters Meagan and Amanda.

A private celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a later date.  If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Calgary Humane Society, 4455 – 110^th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 2T7, Telephone: (403)205-4455, www.calgaryhumane.ca. 

Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed at www.MHFH.com.

In living memory of James Cuthbertson, 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.