Jacobus BUIS

BUIS, Jacobus (Jim) Nicolaas Laurentius
Passed away June 19, 2017 at Royal Columbian Hospital surrounded by his family, in his 90th year. Predeceased by his wife Betty in 2012. Survived by his children John (Kellie), Chris (Sandi), Monica Doerksen (Luke), Jamie (Leslie), Esther Allen (Greg), grandchildren Alena, Jennifer, Justin, Jamie, Kyle, Taylor, Christine, Zachary, Jacob, Chantelle, Shaylen, Dryden, Madeline, Theresa and Elisabeth, and six great- grandchildren, sisters Agnes (Netherlands) and Marianne (Great Britain), brother Lout (Eugenie) (Netherlands) and sister-in-law Joke (Netherlands). Jim was born to Johannes and Maria Koomen-Buis in January of 1928 in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. He was an aviation technician in the Royal Dutch Air Force from 1948 to 1951. Jim met Betty in 1948. They were married in Eindhoven on July 28, 1953. They immediately immigrated to Canada with less than $100 in their pockets, initially working on a farm in Carman, Manitoba. Jim soon found work at Bristol Aircraft. In the summer of 1956, Jim took a one week holiday, got on a bus to Vancouver and secured three job offers. He returned to Manitoba, packed Betty and son John into a 1937 Packard and headed back to Vancouver. After a short stay in Vancouver, they bought a home in North Delta where they raised their five children, living there for over 52 years. Jim worked at Lafarge Cement (Richmond) as a Maintenance Supervisor, retiring early at age 61. He returned part-time to Lafarge Cement two years later when his health improved. Jim stayed working for almost 20 more years, fully retiring finally at age 82. Jim and Betty loved ocean cruising and became "Master Mariners" on the Holland America Line. They were avid gardeners, mystery shoppers and never passed up a good garage sale. Jim helped Betty with her thriving knitting and crocheting craft business. Special thanks to the first responders, Dr. Tom Green and the ER staff at RCH. Prayers on Monday June 26, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Bernadette's Church, 6543- 132 St., Surrey. Funeral Mass on Tuesday June 27, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society at www.cancer.ca.