James E. (Jim) Rheaume

February 7, 1930 - August 5, 2023
In loving memory ~
Jim Rheaume passed away on August 5, 2023, at the age of 93 years.
He will forever be remembered by his wife of 67 years, Adeline; son, James (Terry); daughter, Denise (Mickey); grandchildren, Jacob, Kayla (Jesse), Mathew, and Daniella; great-grandchildren, Casey and Jordan.
Jim was born into a frontier world of trappers and traders at Fort Norman, NWT, near the Arctic Circle, where his father managed the HBC trading post. They moved on to God's Lake Mine where he had "the whole north country as my backyard." When the mine closed, the family moved to Flin Flon, MB. As a teenager, he spent many enjoyable hours exploring the vast wilderness and endless waterways. This prepared him for his first summer job as a guide/assistant to a prospector staking mining claims.
He was his graduating class valedictorian, then went to work at the Hudson's Bay Mining Co. offices. He earned a CPA degree and opened his own accounting firm.
When Canada celebrated its 1967 Centennial, the main event was a 5,300-kilometer Voyageur Canoe Race/Pageant, retracing the historic fur trade route. Each province/territory entered a team. Jim was the Commodore (manager) of the winning team and they were later inducted into the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame. Following the race, the family moved to Penticton, where Jim became an auditor for Revenue Canada, then Administrator for the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen for 18 years.
After retiring, they travelled to many parts of the world, particularly enjoying adventure trips: the white waters of Costa Rica and trekking the Talamanka jungle. He also pursued a real passion in his life, flying. He attained his private pilot's license, commercial license and instructor's designation at Stage Air. His proudest moments were when he "turned loose" a student on his or her first solo flight.
Jim was always active in some project. He worked tirelessly for several years, along with a group of highly dedicated citizens, to ensure Penticton would be properly connected to the Trans Canada Trail. They fundraised and built the now iconic KVR trestle just north of Munson Mountain.
He always considered himself very fortunate to have family close by and to be living in such a free and beautiful part of the world.
A Celebration of Life will take place at the Penticton Seniors Centre, 2965 South Main St., from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Condolences and memories may be shared by visiting www.everdenrust.com