Obituary of Peter Eric James PRENTICE

July 20, 1956 – Ontario October 13, 2016 – British Columbia The family of the Honourable Jim Prentice P.C., Q.C. is heartbroken by the sudden departure of a beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother. Jim was born in South Porcupine, Ontario to Wilma Lyle Marie Mawhiney and Eric Dayton Prentice. The only boy of five children, he was adored by his sisters Karen, Jo-Anne, Lori and Nancy. The family moved to Alberta in 1969 and although he never forgot his Northern Ontario roots, the rest of Jim’s life was devoted to ensuring a bright future for Alberta and its people. Jim graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1977 and from Dalhousie Law School with a Bachelor of Laws in 1980. He was equally proud of the time he spent working in the coal mines of the Crowsnest Pass to earn his tuition. Hockey was part of Jim’s DNA. He cherished his father’s history as an NHL player and the lessons of the game informed his life-long philosophy: keep your head up, dig deep, respect your opponent and support your team mates. Jim practiced law for twenty years, specializing in property rights and in the resolution of First Nations land claims. He was designated a Queen’s Counsel in 1992 and served as a Commissioner and the Co-Chair of Canada’s Indian Land Claims Commission from 1993 until 2000. It was these experiences that he put to full use from the time he was elected as a federal Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre-North in 2004. From 2006 to 2010, Jim was one of the most senior Ministers in the Canadian Government, serving variously as Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Minister of Industry and Minister of Environment. He left federal politics in November 2010 to return to the private sector as Senior Executive Vice-President and Vice-Chairman of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. He also served as a Director of Canadian Pacific and BCE Inc. His passion for Alberta led Jim to return to public life in 2014. He became the 16th Premier of Alberta, serving until May of 2015. He subsequently served in a number of advisory roles in the energy and finance sectors, including Industry Advisor to Warburg Pincus LLP. He was also a Global Fellow at the Canada Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. Jim met his best friend and the love of his life, Karen (nee Ziegler) during his last year of law school. Aligned in heart and spirit, they were inseparable over 33 years of marriage. What he accomplished in life they accomplished together. Jim and Karen shared a deep love of family and of one another, creating a wonderful life and home together in Calgary with their daughters Christina, Cassia and Kate. Although he often joked at being outnumbered, Jim was proud to share his life with such intelligent, strong and independent women. Jim was a man committed to living his life to the fullest. He was an avid golfer, hockey player, outdoorsman, collector of Canadiana, writer and world traveler. He shared those enthusiasms – along with a wry sense of humour – with his many friends. With the marriages of daughters Christina to John Scott and Cassia to Ryan Gellatly, Jim planned trips and special occasions to create memories with these new family members. Jim’s greatest joy came with the birth of grandchildren Jack and Caeleigh. Grandpa Jim enjoyed participating in his grandchildren’s daily routines and playing with them. In recent months, he constructed an elaborate model train assembly, often seeking out new pieces to delight the children. Jim was a true friend to so many. He was taken from us too soon, but we have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support in recent days. The kind words shared by so many will comfort the broken hearts of the family he loved so greatly for years to come. Jim’s memory will be forever cherished by wife Karen and daughters Christina (John), Cassia (Ryan) and Kate. The family is grateful for the memories that will be held dear by grandchildren Jack and Caeleigh. Jim will also be dearly missed by his four sisters Karen Prentice Oxby (Graeme), Jo-Anne Bilodeau (Tom), Lori Prentice (Donald Montalbetti), Nancy Prentice (Brent Sprecher) and their families; and by mother-in-law Donna Ziegler and brothers-in-law Richard Ziegler (Lisa) and Paul Ziegler (Frankie) and their families. Jim also leaves behind a large extended family, who will miss him. A State Memorial that will be open to the public will be held at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (1415 – 14 Ave N.W., Calgary, Alberta) on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Children’s Cottage Society at 204, 2120 Kensington Road NW Calgary, Alberta T2N 3R7, Telephone 403-283-4200, childrenscottage.ab.ca, or to a charity of your choice. In living memory of Jim Prentice, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.