It is with our great honor to send off our “good and faithful servant” to meet His heavenly Father. James (Jim) Leo Pilla of Castlegar BC passed on at Trail Regional Hospital on Tuesday, October 28th. He was 78 years of age (4 days short of his 79th birthday).
Jim, one of eight children of Leo and Helena Pilla, was born November 1, 1935 in Humboldt
Saskatchewan. His family moved to Nipawin until Dad discovered the beauty of the mountains in the West, where he chose to reside to raise his family.
On October 6th 1962, Jim married Diana Wakeham of Nelson BC in the Cathedral of Mary Immaculate. They made their home in Castlegar, where they raised three children, Darren, Grant and Wendy.
Together, Jim and Diana worked very hard to provide for their family, serve their community and to create a hospitable place for people to come together and enjoy. Jim worked loyally for BC Gas for 35 years, leaving a legacy of leadership, hard work and integrity. Jim and Diana created a “home” for the family to enjoy, to grow and to thrive in all the blessings love can bring.
Jim shared the passion for Jesus, for little children, for the bond of family, for the opportunity to serve others, for the game of hockey, for beautiful gardens, for long walks in the woods, for the company of a person, for the quiet times with God and for the pure joy of a hot cup of coffee between family and friends. His wisdom is timeless, his faith enduring and his love empowering for all who knew him.
Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife Diana of 52 years, his 3 children (Darren Pilla, Grant Pilla (wife Elaine) and Wendy Delcourt (husband Grant), 7 grandchildren (Megan, James, Allyshia, Craig, Eric, Hannah and Madison), 1 great grandchild (Rosalie) and his very special friend, John. Also surviving are Jim's 3 sisters (Rosemarie Rosser, Christine Lauer and Yvonne Wiebe), his 2 brothers (Ron Pilla and Wayne Pilla) and numerous nieces and nephews.
DAD: “A selfless man who stood tall in a selfish world. A son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandpa and great grandpa, a coach/mentor, a friend, a Savior, a Saint in every way but title. Dad you will be forever missed but never forgotten. Thank you for all you have given. WE love you!!!”
The celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Dawn’s Early Rising Sunshine Cafe, 2305 Columbia Avenue on Sunday, November 23rd from 12 noon until 4 pm. It is a drop in Open House to join family and friends in memory of such a beautiful person. If you cannot make this occasion and want to share a moment with his memory, a bench is placed in his honour at the Millennium Park by the swimming holes, where Jim walked with many loved ones and enjoyed “the beauty of an ordinary day.”
Jim, a collector of wisdom and a disciple of faith carried many words along the journey; these are some......... “understand God's will, seek to gain spiritual wisdom. Live lives pleasing and honoring to God, do kind things for others, be filled with God's strength, endure in faith, stay full of Christ's joy and always be THANKFUL!!!”.