James "Jim" Dunsmoor

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Jim Dunsmoor, in Nanaimo. He is survived by Gayle Dunsmoor, his wife of 35 years. He was the loving father for Jerin & Kevin Dunsmoor and the loving step-father for Marya Ricker & Quentin MacAulay.

Jim had a Masters in Electrical Engineering from Un. of Alberta (Edmonton). He specialized in circuit design & control systems. As a government employee at ‘Transport Canada’, in Ottawa, he was the group leader for ATC Radar Systems Engineering. His group developed break-through equipment to digitize analog radar so it could be sent via telephone lines, or wirelessly, from radar sites to distant ATC centers. At home, he developed and proto-typed a series of highly-regulated DC power supplies (using the first commercial IC regulator chip). Rather than start his own company, he sold the design rights.

In 1988, Jim became the Regional Director, Technical Services Pacific Region, situated in Vancouver. In 1996 Transport Canada Aviation commercialized and formed a corporation called ‘Nav Canada’. The regions were eventually eliminated.

From 2001-2006, Jim joined a company in Richmond, BC named ‘Advanced Cyclotron Systems’ and became responsible for most of the power supplies used for sub-systems of the 19 MeV and 30 Me V cyclotrons being developed and sold internationally. His job included trips to the US to help with cyclotron installations. He especially enjoyed this position as he felt that cyclotrons challenged his electrical & physics skills. (Cyclotrons are powerful circular particle accelerators used for research and medical application).

In 2008, Gayle & Jim retired to Nanaimo where Jim shared his love of wood-working as a member of the ‘Nanaimo Woodworkers Guild’. As well as wood-working, Jim loved to play the guitar and sing! He was

a founding member of many of the Harbour City Senior groups in Nanaimo including the Country Western Band, Folk & Oldie Rock & Roll, Performance Group & Bluegrass Circle. As a multi-instrumentalist, he served as a teacher & mentor to various group members. He also assisted a friend with the foundation of a country/western music group on Gabriola Island. All the groups benefited from his lifelong interest in music and the music sheets he provided (3000+ songs).

As a member of the Country/Western Band, Folk & Oldies & Performance Groups, he regularly performed for various senior facilities in Nanaimo. Additionally, he attended other music groups such as the Nordli Ukulele Sing & Strum.

Above all though, Jim was the happiest when living off the grid & building cabins on Nelson Island. Family & friends have many wonderful memories of hiking, windsurfing, fishing & boating off the flat rock bays. For sure, the two cabins he built have had a lot of use!

Jim will be remembered as a brilliant man with many skills. Most of all though, he will be remembered for his kindness & concern for others. Even with the extreme pain he was enduring from cancer, he remained easy going and a natural teacher – you learned from him without realizing you had been taught! He made others feel better about themselves just by knowing him. He is, and always will be, greatly missed.