The family of James Forbes regret to announce his passing on February 16, 2016.
Dad was born at home in Priestyard Cottage, Maryland Farm, Dumbarton, Scotland, to parents James Forbes and Helen McDougall Forbes. Dad often told us that he was born at 14 and started work the next day! He actually did start his apprenticeship as a carpenter when he was 14 with Tom Rennie and Sons in Dumbarton. He was passionate about his trade and became well known for his skill and the quality of his work.
As a young man, Dad heard about the Cariboo and decided he wanted to seek his fortune in this part of the country. He arrived in Quesnel by train with his toolbox and $20 in his pocket. He found construction work during the day and in the evenings he would build coffins in a small shop in their Williams Subdivision home. Dad started his own company in 1961 and built many local homes, schools and commercial properties in Quesnel, Wells and Williams Lake.
Dad learned to play the bagpipes as a child and belonged to the Quesnel Legion Pipe Band of which he was the pipe major for many years. He had many stories of his piping adventures and was proud to be a pipe teacher to many eager students in Quesnel as well as the young women of the Williams Lake Aboriginal Women’s Pipe Band.
Dad loved duck hunting and skeet shooting. He won many trophies for his skill in trapshooting. Fishing for Kokanee at Bowron Lake was an annual ritual for Dad and we enjoyed many feasts of his catch! Dad was also an avid cyclist in his youth, racing bikes in Belgium, The Netherlands and France, earning numerous medals for his skill in the sport.
Many thanks to the lovely workers at Wildwood Assisted Care Living where Dad resided before moving to Maple House in Dunrovin Park Lodge. There he was attended by a dedicated and compassionate staff and we really can’t thank them enough for the wonderful care he received there!
Dad was predeceased by his son James, parents James and Helen Forbes, sisters Margaret and Catherine, brother Ian and former wife Anna Forbes. He is survived by his three daughters; Catherine (Ron), Morag (Arnold) and Margaret (Kevin), grandchildren: Bryce, Blayne, Russell, Alex, Corey, Seamus, Gavin and Olivia, eldest sister Betty and youngest sister Helen as well as many nieces and nephews.
“If aye ye gang across the sea,
and reach the land that’s called BC
and then ye journey further noo,
until ye reach the Cariboo...
there between twa mighty rivers,
where winter’s cald and winter shivers,
though the winter’s they be snell,
you’ll aye be welcome in Quesnel!”
Oidhche Mhathh Dad!!