In loving memory ~
James Macadam of Mission, B.C., died suddenly at home on December 19, 2022. He was only 52 years old.
James leaves behind his wife, Michelle Rhodes; his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Amber Macadam of Duncan, and their children Josh, Bethany (Matt), and Isaiah; his brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Gail Macadam of Ft. Langley, and their children Sarah (Matthew), Ben, Jonathan (Thalissa), Jeremiah (Jay), Abigail, Lizzie, and Zach; and his aunt Coral and uncle Jim, both of Victoria. He was predeceased by his parents, Bob and June Macadam.
James embraced a zest for life. Endlessly creative, James dedicated time each day to writing comedy sketches and pieces on personal development. His humour, warmth, and curiosity lifted those around him, and he always had a joke or encouraging word to share. James strove to support others in their lives and their learning, as a husband, friend, brother, uncle, colleague, and long-time faculty member at BCIT.
Born and raised in Victoria, James attended Camosun College before graduating with a BA from the University of Victoria. He completed his MA in Economics from Simon Fraser University in 1997. James lived in Vancouver and worked in small business development before going into teaching. He taught at Ashton College for a couple of years, and then at BCIT in the School of Business, where he eventually joined the faculty in a permanent position. Thousands of students from many different programs took courses in business, management, and economics from James. He especially loved mentoring students as they navigated their way through school and into the workforce.
For the past 15 years, James lived in Mission, where he and Michelle bought a home and filled it with old dogs. When he wasn't working or writing, James loved taking the dogs for long walks, drinking tea, making smoothies, listening to audiobooks, working out, watching stand-up comedy, reading comic books, and travelling to places around B.C. and Washington State. James passed away on what was the first day of a one-year leave he took to pursue passion projects and new adventures with Michelle. Their dogs Stanley and Annie wait for him to come and take them for a walk again.
A celebration of life for the family is planned for March 19, 2023, in Duncan. A second celebration in the Lower Mainland is being planned for early Spring.
Condolences can be shared on James's memorial page at dignitymemorial.com.
Those wishing to make donations in honour of James can do so to the BC SPCA or to the BCIT Foundation.
Dignity Memorial