JAMES O'LEARY HOGAN

James (Jim, Jimmy, Jimbo, Grambo) O'Leary Hogan, born May 10, 1940, passed away on June 19, 2025, shortly after celebrating his 85th birthday.

Jim died peacefully at Inglewood Care Centre with his son, William, by his side, following a year spent living with his other son, Andrew's family, in Squamish.

Jim was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2023. While his passing came quickly - despite his infamously dogged tenacity - the family is grateful he didn't spend long without his memories. And though he spent much of his life mixing up his two sons' names, he knew them both, clearly and lovingly, right up to the very end.

He is survived by his twin sons, Andrew (Georgia) and William (Melanie); and his beloved grandchildren, Willow, Arthur, Alexander, and Hunter.

Jim was predeceased by his mother and father, Myrtle and Edward Hogan; his four older sisters, Lorna, Alice, Gwen, and Edna.

As the youngest by 13 years - and the only boy - Jim claimed he grew up with a stoic sense of independence and self-reliance. His sisters, on the other hand, insisted he was the spoiled center of doting feminine attention - an eternal difference of opinion likely being re-litigated at this very moment.

""Uncle Jimmy"" played a big role in the extended family and maintained close relationships with many of his twenty-five nieces and nephews, from the Reid, Coflin, Lee, and Daly families.

Jim came from humble beginnings and attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Saskatoon before earning his law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1964.

He spent his summers working at Jasper Park Lodge, starting as a caddie in Grade eight and working his way through Golf Starter to Caddie Master - positions that paid for his entire education. His time at Jasper became foundational to his passion for golf, his career, and many lifelong friendships. Not to mention, a wellspring of stories he never hesitated to regale to his family - without hesitation or encouragement.

While working summers at Jasper, Jim met a network of executives, including the CEO of General Mills, who offered him, at just 27, an executive position as corporate manager, overseeing their snacks division that took him to Minneapolis.

There, Jim met Diane Hunter, whom he married on October 6, 1967. From Minneapolis, the couple spent almost two years in Toronto, then eventually settled in Vancouver to start a family. Before the twins, however, Jim and Diane had a daughter, Ashley, who tragically died of SIDS at four months of age.

Those early years were a blend of heartbreak and ambition, growth, and exploration. During that turbulent period - and before being called to the BC bar - Jim worked with Jim Pattison in mergers and acquisitions. Afterwards, he bought Phoenix Manufacturing: a wood-turning plant that marked the beginning of Jim's wooden clogs, wooden ducks, and commemorative wooden footballs - just one of many paths Jim carved out for himself in his professional life.

As the 1980s ushered in mass production, plastic, and polyester, enthusiasm for Jim's quality wood inevitably began to soften - and so he returned to practicing business law at Norton Stewart.

There, he forged strong relationships before eventually starting his own private practice in West Vancouver. Along the way, Jim became increasingly involved in civic and community leadership. As an advocate for small business and free enterprise, he formed deep and lasting connections within the community.

Over the course of his career, Jim served as President of the West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce; President of Junior Achievement; President of the Capilano Golf and Country Club; and - most notably - President of the BC Lions in 1988.

The family watched Jim throw himself into politics with the same wholehearted intensity he brought to business, golf, and gardening. He ran for West Van Council, Mayor, and MLA - and despite unwavering help from close friends, he lost by the narrowest of margins: just 13 votes.

Jim and Diane divorced in 2002 but remained friends and lifelong co-parents.

Jim's later years included the formation of Lions Gate Executive Suites, golf trips to Australia and Africa, and visits to Italy and beyond with his eternally patient partner and golf companion, Margaret Short.

Jim had his first hole-in-one at age 81, closed his law practice at 82, and finally settled down enough to enjoy his beautiful and loving grandchildren at 83. (Although he still brought up the possibility of running for mayor again… every so often.)

The passing of Jim Hogan - in all his tempestuous complexity - marks the end of a Hogan generation, and arguably an era.

An enormous personality, Jim attacked life with unmatched passion and ferocity. A true Irishman in spirit and temperament, he wore his heart on his sleeve, his temper just beneath it, and both cuffs rolled up, all the way.

He was proud, stubborn, fiercely loyal, and as quick to offend as he was to forgive. A man of strong convictions, he was never afraid to offer his opinion - whether you asked for it or not.

Though Jim's voice may be quieter now, his presence is anything but gone. Whether you knew him as family, a friend, a colleague, or a political or legal sparring partner, his ""Jim-isms,"" his larger-than-life energy, and the heroic trials and tribulations that defined his story will live on as lore - anecdotes retold (and altered slightly) in conversations across the community he loved, and by friends and relatives far and wide.

Among those who knew all sides of Jim - and enjoyed his presence deeply - his absence is felt with profound sadness. Among those who may have only encountered one side of him … well, there may be a mild sense of relief. That's OK. Jim would've understood - but ultimately ""challenged both your premise and your conclusion.""

As the Irish say - Death leaves a heartache no one can heal - but love leaves a memory no one can steal. And while Jim has left both, over time, the memories - and stories - will only grow amongst close friends and family, and through the eternal adoration of his cherished grandchildren.

So, in honour of our father, we'll be holding a celebration of his life at Capilano Golf Club, August 17th, at 3:00 p.m.

We welcome all who knew and loved Jim to join us. It promises to be a night of tears, tributes, and tales he would have loved to hear … and constructively improved upon

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KidSport at www.tinyurl.com/inmemjameshogan

For further details regarding celebration, please visit www.jamesolearyhogan.ca