DR. James M. TISDALE

1936 - 2019

TISDALE, DR. James M.: March 8, 1936 - June 23, 2019. It is with great sadness but also a tremendous sense of gratitude that we said goodbye to Jim on Sunday, June 23, 2019. After a life well lived, he was at home overlooking the lake, with his family all around him and listening to his favourite Mozart concerto. Jim was born and grew up in Niagara Falls. He studied Zoology at Michigan State University and went to medical school at the University of Western Ontario graduating in 1963. Most importantly, he met the love of his life, Bitten in 1957, and they married in 1960. As soon as medical school was finished, they set off for British Columbia, choosing Kelowna as their home, playground, and place to raise their family. Jim was an "old school" physician who made house calls, delivered his own babies, and had great compassion and dedication to his patients. He was part of an amazing close-knit team at Group One Medical. He and Bitten shared a love of nature and a passion for the outdoors. He was an avid fly fisherman, paddler, hiker, runner, hunter, skier and in the later years a keen birder. He was also a student of the heavens - astronomy was Jim's religion and he continued his quest to study the universe and share his knowledge until his last day. But above all Jim loved his family. His "child bride" Bitten with whom he shared over six decades of love, adventure and partnership. His three daughters, Kirsten (Scott), Sarah (Ian), and Jenn (Phill), seven grandchildren, and nephews and nieces in Ontario and Denmark. There are many others (you know who you are) who are like family and he loved you all. Jim was so wise and kind, but for all who knew him his intelligent wit and wicked sense of humour were probably his defining characteristics. Until the last few years, Jim enjoyed a vibrant healthy life. We are so grateful for the care and compassion of his medical team, especially Dr. Dan Obedkoff and Dr. Richard Hooper. We will have a Celebration of Life for Jim at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Springfield Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, donations would be gratefully received for the KGH Foundation, www.kghfoundation.com, or the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Okanagan Centre, cheques would be made out to: RASCOC, 285 Terai Court, Kelowna V1X 5X6. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com