Canadian Association of Diving Contractors

On Monday August 31, 2015, Jim Wilson – former Executive Director of the CADC – died peacefully in his room at Sunnybrook Veterans’ Centre surrounded by his family. He was 88 years old. Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Joyce Woodburn (April 2013) and is survived by his children James (and Patricia) and Deborah (and Alexander) and his grandchildren, Andrew, Brendan, Connor and Mackenzie, of whom he was very proud. He is remembered by his nieces and nephews and their families, his Goddaughter, Susan Carmichael, and by Kelly Mills. Jim was born in Charlottetown, PEI on March 10, 1927, and raised in Hamilton and Montreal. In 1942, with a falsified birth certificate, he joined the Navy, and at the age of 15, went to war. He would go on to serve in WWII and in Korea, and remain in the Navy for 22 years. Jim was a Clearance Diver and demolition expert and was one of the first divers to go beneath the ice in the Canadian Artic. His Navy adventures took him around the world more than once, and instilled in him, and his family, a great love of the sea. Upon discharge from the Navy Jim became the Manger of the new Hyperbaric Unit at the then Toronto General Hospital and he remained at TGH for the next 25 years. Jim and Joyce travelled extensively and were most happy on the Gulf Coast, or anywhere on the ocean. Upon retirement Jim started an active consulting practice and throughout his life, Jim was very active in the Diving and Navy communities. Jim was a member of the team that developed National Decompression Diving Tables at the then, Defense and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine. He served with Canadian Standards and worked extensively to keep both recreational and commercial divers safe from harm. Jim was the President of the Friends of Haida Association for many years, and was Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Diving Contractors. He held many positions with the Great Lakes Chapter of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.
Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., at Windermere, east of the Jane Subway on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Runnymede United Church, 432 Runnymede Rd, Toronto.
Jim’s family is profoundly grateful to the Veterans’ Affairs Canada and to the amazing staff of K Wing for their care and kindness over the last five year. Flowers are greatfully declined. Donations to Sunnybrook Health Centre Veterans’ Comfort Fund, 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5 would be very much appreciated.