It is with great sadness that the family of James “Jim” Gerald William Wight announces his passing on the 6th of January, 2023 at the age of 50 years old after a long and courageous battle against cancer.

 
Jim will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife, Karen Tait-Wight; his son, Lucas Tait (Bri); and his daughter, Baillie Tait (Zach). Along with his immediate family, Jim is survived by his father, James Fahey (Gerri); his mother, Mary Trainor; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his stepfather, Gerald Wight, and his brother, Curtis Fahey. 

Jim was born on the 1st of July, 1972 in St. Johns, Newfoundland. Jim grew up making many friends in Mount Pearl through school and sports. When it came to choosing his career, joining the Canadian Armed Forces was a clear choice.

Jim joined the Canadian Reserve Force as a combat engineer in 1991, with the 56 Engineer Squadron. In 1993, he deployed as a member of the United Nations Protection Force with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry, and served in Sector South/Medak. He transferred to the Regular Force as a combat engineer in 1996 as a part of the 4 Engineer Support Regiment in CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick. While stationed there, Jim deployed to Bosnia in 1999 on OP PALLADIUM and in 2000 to Eritrea, Africa on OP ECLIPSE. He also served as an instructor in the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering. Jim made a transition to the RCAF as an Aviation Systems Technician and completed his trades training at CFB Borden, Ontario. Jim was posted to CFB Shearwater, Nova Scotia in 2004 where he spent 4 years working on the Sea King before being posted to Cold Lake, Alberta in 2008 where he spent the rest of his career. His first assignment in Cold Lake was working on the CF-18 Hornet as a Junior Crew Supervisor within the 409 Squadron. After being posted to Cold Lake, Jim went on one more tour to Europe. In 2013, Jim became an instructor at 10 FTTS to shape up future technicians. Jim finished his career as a Warrant Officer with the role of Senior Air Maintenance Superintendent at the 410 Squadron. One highlight to add from Jim’s long military career was his participation in the annual 120 kilometre Nijmegen Marches. 

Jim was an extremely self motivated and disciplined individual who pushed himself for everything. He found the silver lining in all of the cards that he was dealt. Jim touched the lives of many throughout his time in the military and made innumerable lifelong friends that he considered family.  

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held for Jim at 1:00PM/1300hrs, on Monday, 16th of January 2023, at Club 41, 41 Beaverlodge Road, on 4Wg Cold Lake, Alberta. His family hopes that all who have been honoured to know, make the acquaintance of, and befriend Jim will attend. Those wishing to view the service may do so by joining the live stream with the options listed below the service information.

Donations can be made in memory of Jim to The Terry Fox Foundation https://secure.terryfox.ca/registrant/DonationPage.aspx?eventid=283254&langpref=en-CA&Referrer=direct%2fnone 

Jim’s family wishes to send a sincere thank you to the staff at Transition Centre Cold Lake, the medical staff at 22 Canadian Forces Health Services, and the medical staff at Cold Lake Home Care. 

Respectfully submitted by the family
 

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