James "Jim" Elvin Sagan

Jim was born in the proud Ukrainian community of Smoky Lake, Alberta. The family moved to the Wimborne area in 1953 and that was where he spent most of his youth. He inherited a love of competition and sport from his parents and had fond memories of playing baseball and basketball. In particular he never forgot playing on the provincial championship baseball team that his father coached in 1963. Jim discovered a love of football in his teenage years and went on to play football with the Calgary Colts.

He attended the University of Calgary, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Education. During his time there he met the love of his life, Arlene, whom he married in 1971. Upon graduation, a teaching exchange in Australia led them on an adventure for almost 2 years and resulted in many lifelong friends.

A dedicated father to his three girls, Jim helped coach their many sports teams and always made sure he was there to cheer them on. He enjoyed taking them on bike rides and road trips around western Canada, instilling his love of nature and wildlife through various outings involving fishing and hiking. Later, Jim’s kind and patient nature was put to use tutoring them in math and science and teaching them to throw a good spiral.

Jim’s love of building led to the construction of a backyard playhouse with swings, a platform bed, a rabbit hutch, reception counter and bee and birdhouses. In his retirement he became the go-to handyman of the family. He was very proud of his forever home that he contracted the building of in 2010.

Jim spent 33 years of his teaching career at Sir Winston Churchill high school, where he taught chemistry and channeled his passion for football into coaching the defensive line for their school team.

After retiring, Jim enjoyed travelling to Europe, Mexico and Eastern Canada. He also spent his time golfing, hunting, fishing, watching his favourite football team the 49ers, and looking after his grandkids.

He was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Molly Sagan, and brother, Nick. He is survived by his loving wife, Arlene and his daughters, Nicole (Matt), Rebecca, and Justine (Grant); as well as his six grandchildren, Sam, Royal, Zelly, Raina, Charlie and Fred.

The last two years Jim fought a courageous battle with a rare blood cancer, called Myelodysplastic Syndrome, which progressed into Acute Myeloid Leukemia and ultimately ended his life. He will be sorely missed by his family, extended family and numerous friends.

A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held at Crescent Heights Community Hall, 1101 2 St NW, Calgary, AB T2M 2V7, on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Additional venue parking has been made available at the adjacent North Hill Curling Club lot.

In lieu of flowers Donations may be made to "Light the Night" Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, Team: Jim Sagan thorough their website https://www.lightthenight.ca.