James Preston Balmer (Jim or Bomber to his friends), P. Geo, passed away at Chilliwack General Hospital on October 28th after a lengthy battle with an undiagnosed illness. Jim was born in Brandon, MB on December 10th, 1947, the first child of Audrey and Archie Balmer, stationed at the time at CFB Shilo, MB. Jim's childhood was spent on military bases throughout Canada. He graduated from Grant Park High School in Winnipeg and was enrolled in first year science at the University of Manitoba at age 17. The following year, he transferred to the University of BC, graduating in 1972 with a degree in geology. He subsequently worked as a geologist for many various mining companies throughout the NWT, BC and AB, culminating his career in 2011 with Polaris Minerals as the mine manager of Orca Sand & Gravel in Port McNeill on the northern tip of Vancouver Island. His love for mining forged the creation of his consulting firm, and he continued to be heavily involved in the mining industry and as a member of the BC N.C.S. Mine Rescue/Safety Supervisors Association executive member until late 2014. Jim will be forever dearly missed and mourned by his family: daughter Janis, and grandchildren Leandra, Markus and Spencer, his loving wife Heidi and her children Whitney, Brittany and Riley, his sister Betty and her daughter, Alina, and his brother Kim and his wife Suzanne. A celebration of Jim's life will take place at Henderson's Funeral Home, 45901 Victoria Avenue, Chilliwack on November 21st, 2015 at 2 pm, with a reception to follow. Friends are encouraged to RSVP and to send a favorite picture of Jim, along with any condolences, to the family at jbalmer@shaw.ca. In lieu of flowers please forward donations to Jim's favorite worthwhile cause Mine Rescue.
BC Mine Rescue Assoc. Attention: Dale Lawson. C/O James P. Balmer Memorial , 990 Johnson St, Williams Lake, BC, V2G 1V2.