The family of JAMES EUGENE "JIM" GALLANT is sad to announce that Jim passed away on Christmas Day at the Chinook Regional Hospital from complications due to cancer.

Dad was born in Bluesky, Alberta in 1936. His youth was spent in Bluesky, in Hines Creek, AB, and Frankford, ON. As a 16-year-old, he left home to work in the construction and forestry industries around Nanaimo for two years and in 1954 he joined the RCAF to train as an aero engine mechanic. While in the Air Force, he was posted to St. Jean PQ; Borden ON; Rivers MB; #2 Wing in France; Penhold AB; Calgary AB; Winnipeg MB; Trenton ON; Senneterre PQ; and CFSME in Chilliwack, BC. Dad retired in 1974 as a mechanical systems tech, Master Warrant Officer.

He married our mother, Dorothy May Kerr, in 1956 at Rivers, MB and they raised a family of seven children. In 1959, he changed streams to refrigeration and air conditioning. After retiring from the Air Force in 1974 the family moved to Calgary where Dad worked in different levels of

the refrigeration industry, starting on a service truck and becoming service manager for Carrier Western, covering Western Canada. In 1981, he headed up the Refrigeration Workers Union for Alberta, which was part of Local Union 488 of Edmonton until 1991, then returned to the field

until 1996. That year, he joined the Corps of Commissionaires in Olds AB, and served as a Commissionaire for 14 years in Olds, Edmonton (at the Legislative Assembly, which he enjoyed immensely) and then in Lethbridge, where they moved in 2007. He fully retired in late 2010. Dad loved to be busy and help others, he spent time as a volunteer at the Lethbridge Food Bank and various service clubs, as well as at St. Martha's Parish. He enjoyed being a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, General Stewart #4 and 702 Wing of the RCAF Assn. of Canada and on the executive, including a term as its president.

Jim is survived by his wife Dorothy and children Viola (Bruce), of Powell River, BC; Arlene (Bob), of Gibsons, BC; George (Sherri), of Lethbridge; Jim, of Jefferson, TX.; Juanita (Gene) of Okotoks, AB; Brian (Ricky) of Manhattan, NY; Valerie (Kim), of Comox, B.C.; 19 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Dad was pre-deceased by daughters Brenda and Marie, son-in-law Charles Hawes and grandson Ryan.

A Memorial Mass will be Celebrated at ST. MARTHA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. with Reverend Roque Perreira Celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the The Jack Ady Cancer Centre, 960-19 Street South, Lethbridge, AB., T1J 1W5.