Obituary

On October 22, of 2022, Mr. James “Jim” Blackburn of St. Paul passed away at the age of 80 years. He is survived by his only cousin, Tim Blackburn of Kamloops, BC; brother-in-law, Gerry Dixon of Nanaimo, BC. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Raoul (Rollie) and Thelma; sister, Patricia; uncles, Ernie, Louis and Wilfred; aunts, Jeanette, Della, Bertha, Florence, Evelyn and Blanche; cousin, Larry; and others in Eastern Canada.

Jim was born June 6, 1942 in Toronto and moved to Vancouver in the mid fifties. Following high school graduation, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force where he served for 21 years as a Radar Station Electronics Specialist. His tour of duty included most of the military stations in Canada until he retired at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta in 1982.

His employment was in St. Paul, Alberta as an electronic repair technician with ESP Communications. Eventually he, with his partners, took over the business and operated it as St. Paul Communications and later as Lakeland Communications. In his later years he was a transfer driver for Zarowny Motors and every morning greeted us with a freshly brewed pot of coffee.

Jim’s 40 year presence in St. Paul was exceptionally quiet. For the few who knew him well he was soft spoken, polite, respectful, and very reserved. In military terms you could say that “flying under the radar” was a personality trait.

Jim’s imprint in our community is unrecognized but obvious; for he was one of the brave souls on the teams who set up many of the lofty communication towers that dot the countryside of northeastern Alberta, most noticeably are the structures that reach to the sky on Moose Hills and at La Corey.

At Jim’s request, no funeral service will be held. Cremation has taken place and his ashes will be left at his favorite camping areas at Frenchman Lake. To send condolences online, please visit www.gracegardensfuneralchapel.com.

GRACE GARDENS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 5626 – 51 Street, St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1 780-645-2677