June 19, 2020
"The old Aussie's gone walkabout." On Friday, June 19, 2020, Jim Bridges passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a lengthy stay in hospital. As a husband, father, and grandfather, Jim was our rock, and he will be missed deeply in so many ways.
Born in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia, Jim enlisted with the Australian Army at the age of 18. His service included two tours of duty in the Korean War with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, which was cited for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of combat duties in action in 1951.
Seeking adventure, Jim emigrated to Canada in 1956, where he joined the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. In 1958, he met the love of his life, Margaret, on a train from Edmonton to Vancouver.
Later that year, they married and forged a path together in life, raising three sons as Jim continued his military career in various postings across Canada. In 1981, Jim and Margaret retired to Comox, and spent the next decades enjoying island life and travelling to Europe and Jim's native Australia.
We will remember Jim for his deep commitment to family, incredible work ethic, love of animals and nature, and compassion for anyone who is struggling. He rose above his own troubled upbringing in Australia to give all of us a wonderful life; we never doubted his ability to provide for and protect all of us who have been so fortunate to have him in our lives.
Jim is survived by his wife Margaret, his sons Terry (Dale), Cliff (Karen), and Jay, along with five grandchildren (Colin, Chris, Natalie, Kylie and Isabelle) and numerous nieces and nephews. Donations in his memory can be sent to Our Place, a unique inner-city community centre serving Greater Victoria's most vulnerable (www.ourplacesociety.com).