Obituary for James Edward Schuster
James Edward Schuster passed away on February 26 2023, age 93, at Burnaby General Hospital in Burnaby BC. “Jim” Schuster died of lung cancer, after several years of heart and lung illness, with family members at his side. Jim was born November 13 1929 in Edmonton Alberta, the son of Dora and Jacob Schuster. He was predeceased by sister Eileen, and leaves sisters Dora, Lorraine and Audrey, and brother Ronald Schuster.
Jim was divorced from former wife Ella, and had three children, Dean Schuster (Edmonton), Darlene Klaassen (Vancouver BC) and Linda Schuster (Coquitlam BC), four grandchildren Anthony Klaassen (Vancouver BC), Corina Klaassen (Vancouver BC), Angela Schuster (Surrey BC), and Kristen Sollas (Orlando, Florida), and great grandchild Mya Klaassen (Vancouver BC). James was predeceased by partner Mary Comben in 2013.
In 1947, age 18, Jim joined the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve and spent two years aboard ships, receiving an Honourable Discharge in 1949 with the rank of Ordinary Seaman.
Jim went on to become a licensed plumber and for several years ran his own plumbing business and then in 1964 Jim became a member of The Plumbing and Pipefitting Workers Union Local 170 in Vancouver BC. He worked as a pipefitter and gas-fitter at Vancouver area industrial sites and on various pipelines and projects throughout British Columbia, retiring in 1994 after 30 years as a pipefitter.
Throughout his life Jim was a staunch union supporter and in 2019 he was given a 55 year membership Pin from Local 170.
Jim spent his retirement years living in Burnaby BC, near his children and grandchildren, celebrating holidays, birthdays and anniversaries with large family gatherings and always with a large cake of various types and sizes.
Jim was known for enjoying older classic cars and his 1980’s Oldsmobile became part of family history for decades.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local SPCA.
Jim was cremated and a memorial service will be held at Seba Beach, Alberta on Saturday July 8, 2023.
Jim was divorced from former wife Ella, and had three children, Dean Schuster (Edmonton), Darlene Klaassen (Vancouver BC) and Linda Schuster (Coquitlam BC), four grandchildren Anthony Klaassen (Vancouver BC), Corina Klaassen (Vancouver BC), Angela Schuster (Surrey BC), and Kristen Sollas (Orlando, Florida), and great grandchild Mya Klaassen (Vancouver BC). James was predeceased by partner Mary Comben in 2013.
In 1947, age 18, Jim joined the Royal Canadian Navy Reserve and spent two years aboard ships, receiving an Honourable Discharge in 1949 with the rank of Ordinary Seaman.
Jim went on to become a licensed plumber and for several years ran his own plumbing business and then in 1964 Jim became a member of The Plumbing and Pipefitting Workers Union Local 170 in Vancouver BC. He worked as a pipefitter and gas-fitter at Vancouver area industrial sites and on various pipelines and projects throughout British Columbia, retiring in 1994 after 30 years as a pipefitter.
Throughout his life Jim was a staunch union supporter and in 2019 he was given a 55 year membership Pin from Local 170.
Jim spent his retirement years living in Burnaby BC, near his children and grandchildren, celebrating holidays, birthdays and anniversaries with large family gatherings and always with a large cake of various types and sizes.
Jim was known for enjoying older classic cars and his 1980’s Oldsmobile became part of family history for decades.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local SPCA.
Jim was cremated and a memorial service will be held at Seba Beach, Alberta on Saturday July 8, 2023.