James Martin Hoover P.Eng

Jim passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. After three months in the Foothills Hospital, Jim decided he wanted to spend the rest of his life at home. His last months at home were a happy time, as he visited with friends and family; enjoyed his favourite food and being the center of attention in daily family gatherings.

Jim was born in Islay, AB, but soon after the family moved to Willow Bunch, SK, where he spent most of his childhood. Jim and his twin sister Jean were the youngest of four children. Older brothers Tom and Don, together with his father Raymond and mother Helen lived on the family farm. Jim suffered a serious accident when he was 15, which caused him to lose his right thumb. This altered his career ambitions from farming, and steered him to use his academic strengths in maths and sciences. After high school, he worked for two years to save enough money to attend University; and ultimately he graduated as an Electrical Engineer from the University of Saskatchewan in 1962.

In his second year of University, Jim met Jean Sandsbraaten from Naicam, SK. They were married in 1960 and their first daughter Evelyn was born in 1961, a year before Jim graduated. In 1962 the family moved to Calgary to pursue employment opportunities.

Jim initially worked for Pan Am Petroleum for two years. To make better use of his Electrical Engineering training, he moved to the company Calgary Power, and stayed there for 15 years. Jim then changed jobs and went to Nova Corporation, where he remained until his retirement in 1999.

The family settled into their home in the new community of North Haven and expanded with children Bruce, Lynn and John. Holidays included travelling to Norway, many camping trips with friends to BC, and trips back to Saskatchewan to visit relatives. Jim spent most evenings working in his garage inventing new tools. He had a great interest in astronomy and spent many evenings outdoors with his telescope.

Jim and Jean bought an acreage near Didsbury, AB and lived there for 15 years until they moved back to Calgary in 2012. Quiet days on the prairies reminded Jim and Jean of their youth in Saskatchewan. Holidays later in life included several trips to Mexico, many cruises in the Caribbean or driving trips to Montana and California. Almost all of his holidays included one or more of his children and grandchildren. Jim is survived by Jean, his loving wife of 57 years; daughter Evelyn (Ken); son Bruce (Laurie); daughter Lynn (Don) and son John. Jim had six grandchildren, Braden, Jordan, Dylan, Tim, Jessica and Dan. He will be dearly missed by all.

Thank you to all of Jim’s caregivers on Unit 44 at the Foothills hospital. In particular, special thanks to Dr. Schneider, Chris, and Tobi for their incredible kindness shown to Jim. Thanks to his caregivers (Brandon, Christine, Joyce and Maria) from Qualicare Family Homecare and AHS Palliative Homecare who made his last months at home wonderful.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4th Street NW, Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery), on Sunday, April 22nd, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by the Children’s Hospital Aid Society (CHAS), Box 900, Station “M”, Calgary, AB T2P 2M7, www.chascalgary.ca.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family via the website www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.