James Edward Cowan Obituary

Jim was born in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan to Winnifred and Howard Cowan. The Cowan's worked hard on a farm there. He earned a degree at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. He worked for hospitals in the Human Resource field in Edmonton. He married Linda Rovang in 1965; in 1969 their daughter Shannon was born. Sadly in 1992 Shannon passed away from cancer.

Jim moved to Saskatoon and became Human Resources Manager and Chief Negotiator for the City of Saskatoon. Jim met Karen Young in 1998 and moved to Sidney, BC in 2007 where they became involved in the boating community. They raced sailboats for years , competing in the international "Swiftsure" and overnight races such as Patos and Around Saltspring.

They sailed throughout the Pacific Northwest from the U.S. San Juan Islands, the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound and the Broughtons. Jim generously mentored many friends and family in the skills of sailing on these adventures. In 2011 he skippered his 34 foot Catalina "Meerkat" with a group of six sailors as they circumnavigated Vancouver Island.

They chartered sailboats along with Sidney friends to Croatia, Greece, Italy, Sardinia, Corsica, the British Virgin Islands and their final voyage to Thailand in 2019. Jim was recognized as a leader in the Sidney Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue in which he dedicated 10 years. He will be remembered for his kindness and helpfulness to others.

Jim is survived by Karen and his sisters Dorothy (predeceased by Ernie), Ruth (Mike), his brother Albert (Diane), 3 nieces (Jan, Sienna and Jodi) and a nephew (Kevin) and their children. He enjoyed being involved in the lives of Karen's three sons, their wives and being Grandpa to the seven grandchildren . We are planning to hold a celebration of Jim's life near the end of the summer.