B. James Wensley

B. James Wensley

B. Wensley Obituary

Published by Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on Oct. 23, 2009.

WENSLEY B. James (Gentleman Jim / Diamond Jim Wensley) October 5, 1930 - October 15, 2009 B. James passed away peacefully at Delta Hospital after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and later attended the University of Alberta where he received his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering. In 1956 B. James received his B. of Architecture at the University of British Columbia. B. James started his architectural career in Vancouver in 1958, and, four years later returned to Edmonton with his family to start what would become a very successful architectural business. His accomplishments in Edmonton include the Shaw Conference Centre, Scotia Place, Oxford Towers, the original Southgate Centre and the Mayfair Golf and Country Club. In 1989 he returned to Vancouver and opened B. James Wensley Architecture. His best known structure in Vancouver is the original Coquitlam Centre, for which he received the Governor General's Award for Excellence in Architecture. B. James lived life to the fullest. He was an ardent golfer, an excellent skier, a poor fisherman and an occasional duck hunter. While in British Columbia, he enjoyed boating on the "James Joyce". B. James and his wife Joyce enjoyed their worldly travels to Hawaii, the French Riviera, London, Italy, Switzerland and a recent passion for touring in their Airstream trailer, particularly to Flin Flon, Manitoba. Jim was variously described as classy, gentle, generous and kind. He lived an accomplished and distinguished life. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his sister Carol Gilfillan (Jim); his children Chris (Tatiana) (Alejandro, Sall); Blair Donald (Paul) (Morgan); Adam (Laura) (Miya, Dylan) and his stepchildren Randy Ross (Susan) (Dustin, Tanner, Spencer, Brandon); Brian Ross (Terry) (Dustin); Spencer Ross; Susan (Ross) Lacombe (Norman) (Phia, Gabriel, Kennedy, Eric); Andrea DiMarco; Catherine DiMarco. B. James will long be remembered by his family, his many friends and his business acquaintances and associates throughout Canada and the world. In lieu of flowers donations will be gratefully accepted by the Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society, 5800 Mountainview Boulevard, Delta, BC V4K 3V6. The family conducted a small private ceremony at the Beach Grove Country Club in Tsawwassen on Sunday, October 18, 2009. There will be a celebration of Jim's life in Vancouver on Monday, October 26, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Sutton Place Hotel at 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver. There will also be a celebration of Jim's life in Edmonton on November 16, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Shaw Conference Centre.

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November 10, 2009

Dwaine Bexson posted to the memorial.

October 26, 2009

Carl Sorensen posted to the memorial.

October 25, 2009

Robert Ellis posted to the memorial.

8 Entries

Dwaine Bexson

November 10, 2009

I worked for Jim in 1974 It was a pleasure to have known him and the things I learned from him will last a lifetime

Carl Sorensen

October 26, 2009

I knew Jim Wensley, not well but well enought to appreciate what a fine man he was, when he and Sig Schmidt owned the Ekistic planning-consultancy firm in Edmonton. I worked for the firm for some eight months from late summer 1974 to spring 1975. He was a generous and gracious person.

Robert Ellis

October 25, 2009

It was great to have known Jim for most of our lives, such a gentleman. Lucky to have had Jim as our architect for our home and office building when he first started out. He will be missed.
Bob Ellis and family

Mayne Ellis

October 25, 2009

Like Mr. Johnson and his family, I grew up in a Wensley designed house. So, "what HE said". the family home profoundly expressed my parents' values about design, place, and beauty. Jim Wensley, I think, "got" it in a way that no other architect could have done. May his family find peace and comfort in his example, and be inspired to find their own way to express their highest values.

Mona & Bob Kitchener

October 25, 2009

I was a secretary in B. James Wensley Architect Ltd. in Edmonton in the early 1970s, particularly working on the administration for Lethbridge Centre. I LOVED working for Jim - he was unfailingly kind and courteous, and a FUN person to work with. My children still talk about the parties he would host in his home, and I can still hear my son saying "I was the only kid that didn't spill pop on the bed!" We particularly enjoyed visiting at the lovely big home in the country.

Eva Pocklington

October 23, 2009

Peter and I have so many fond memories of Jim and family over the years and were so saddened to hear of his passing. He has left a warm and caring legacy for his friends and especially for his children. He had an artistic soul which was contagious and enlightening. May he rest in peace
always.

Joey Kerr

October 22, 2009

My heart is withyou all. Jim was a kind and truly a gentleman. Memories of him will give comfort.

Gordon R. Johnston

October 22, 2009

Wensley family;

My wife and I were so saddened to have heard the news of your husband and father's passing.
We are a fortunate and lucky family to have received the benifit(everyday)of living in one of the houses he designed here in Edmonton down in Laurier Heights. His vision & craftmanship fused a poetic semblance for a family who embraces his house everyday. His house is free and balanced & effortless like a beautiful ballet. I can only imagine how he loved his family to create and build such a place. It emits that though every detail, every window, every entry door and every compositional site-line where-ever you stand/sit in the house; and of course it's graceful settings parked in the side of a hill in Laurier.
It's a marvelous work of art and is like waking-up to a fresh bouquet of flowers every morning in every season.
I am disappointed to never have relayed my love for his work. I never for a moment take the grace & beauty he so elequently crafted in his (now our's) house for granted.
I believe James left a wonderful legacy for our city...and for our family.

Thank you Mr. Wensley!

Kind regards,

Gordon R. Johnston
Raine Dowell
Posy Johnston

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November 10, 2009

Dwaine Bexson posted to the memorial.

October 26, 2009

Carl Sorensen posted to the memorial.

October 25, 2009

Robert Ellis posted to the memorial.