Obituary of James Ross McFadden

It is with our deepest sadness that we are announcing the passing of Jim McFadden (James Ross). He was admitted into the Regina General Hospital on Thursday, June 10, 2021 with some chest discomfort. On Tuesday, June 15, 2021 he underwent major heart surgery to which he never recovered from. He passed peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, June 16, 2021 with his loving wife and family by his side. Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley McFadden; his son James “Jim” McFadden of Warmen; two daughters, Kim McFadden (Merv) of Regina and Laurie Leitner (Steve) of Regina; four granddaughters Jessica (Evan), Amy (Thomas), Ashley (Nick), and Tabitha; one grandson Liam, and new family addition great- grandson J Jackson.

In 1969 Jim moved his family from Regina to the sunny Okanagan residing in Penticton until 1973, when they purchased their first home in Kelowna, staying there until 1987.  Jim and his family enjoyed spending Sundays at Woods Lake where they would launch the boat and gear up for a full day of sunshine and waterskiing.  If the weather took a turn, and the wind picked up, he would take full advantage of the opportunity and grab the brave and head out wave jumping where he always sit at the top of his seat to see over the windshield and the splash on his face. Anyone sitting on the shoreline could see him smiling from ear to ear.  He loved telling his stories about woods lake, how he taught his kids how to water-ski, what size of fish he caught, who jumped off the cliff, or what was in the cooler to drink or eat. You could hear his from miles away on weekends “Pack up the boat, and let’s go!”

In 1987 Jim once again packed up and made the move back to Regina, to be closer to family. He took on various jobs to make ends meet, until he landed a position doing maintenance for the Glen Elm Trailer Court, where they owned their second home. After 15 years and a few management deaths he was promoted to manager. He stayed on with the court for 20 years when he decided to take on retirement for the first time. After Jim’s break on semi-retirement, he worked at Regina Bobcat up until his permanent retirement in May of 2019.  During his retirement he spent his days wood working, building birdhouses and other various projects his family had for him. And in the colder months, when he could not work out in his shed, he would be inside reading western novels, or testing out different cookie recipes to share with everyone, he was always so proud and excited to share his creations with everybody. Family visits were his favourite he loved sitting down and telling stories he had from years ago. “When we were in Kelowna…. or when I took that trip to Vancouver with Gordie…..” stories we all heard so many times before, but we got to hear them again and again. He absolutely loved it when there was a new member in the family, so he had someone new to tell his stories to that had never heard them before. We would always look at Mom and giggle because we already heard this story told so many times before.

We are so privileged to have had him in our lives and we will forever remember that last Jamaican Rum loaf, and treasure those last few birdhouses left in the shed.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at the Regina General Hospital SICU for their compassion and efforts and a special thanks to Dr Moustapha for doing everything in his power for a different outcome.

At Jim’s request there will be no formal service or traditional burial held. He has requested his final resting spot to be at the place he loved best, Woods Lake under the willow tree.

Everyone is welcome to share a picture, a memory or funny story to Jim’s Facebook page which will be turned into a Legacy page in his honor in the near future.