We regret to advise of the death of Chief Warrant Officer James Thomas “Jim” Patterson, CD (Ret’d), peacefully in hospital on 1 June 2018 in Ottawa, ON at age 78. Jim served 22 Years with Mapping and Charting Establishment in Ottawa.
Jim Patterson was born in London, ON and grew up there. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1958 after completing high school and a month shy of his 18th birthday. He became a Safety Systems and Services technician and was stationed at Canadian Forces Bases (CFB) Uplands ON, Bagotville QC, and then proceeded on a yearlong United Nations peacekeeping tour of duty with 115 Air Transport Unit in El Arish, Egypt. Jim then served four years in Germany at 4 (F) Wing Baden Soellingen before returning to CFB Uplands. At 2 Airfield Maintenance Squadron at CFB Uplands he remustered to Topographical Surveyor and Photogrammetrist and began his new career with the Canadian Military Engineers in January 1972 at Mapping and Charting Establishment (MCE) in Ottawa.
After achieving his Pay Level 4 qualification Jim spent his first summer in the field in the Chilcotin Country of BC and at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, QC. He continued work on these projects back at MCE and thus began his rotation through the various sections of the unit. Jim was promoted to Master Corporal in May 1974 and was assigned to Op ARCTIC that summer. Within two years he was promoted to Sergeant in December 1976 and in 1978 he accompanied the newest Training Wing class to Gagetown as an instructor. Several field tasks followed before his taskings on Op ARCTIC 1979 and the Military City Maps project. In 1981 he was promoted to Warrant Officer and spent some time heading up varied field tasks and photogrammetric assignments.
Jim was promoted to Master Warrant Officer in 1987 and that earned him his third Op ARCTIC tasking. He was then assigned to the School of Military Mapping where he had the opportunity to pass on his knowledge and attitude to many newer members of the unit. Jim served in this capacity numerous times and was often called upon to conduct on-job training in other sections of MCE. After a tour in the Program Planning Office he was promoted Chief Warrant Officer. Jim retired from the Canadian Forces in 1995 after 22 years with MCE.
Jim was an all-round athlete who particularly liked challenging the "young and health conscious" members of the unit in feats of endurance, agility and strength. He was an "A" League squash player who attended both Regional and National Championships at various times. In golf Jim hit a fine long ball and often shot in the low 80s.
Friends and family are invited to a Visitation on Friday, 8 June 2018 at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa) from 7-9:00 pm. The family will also receive condolences at Beechwood on Saturday, 9 June 2018 between 10-11:00 am just prior to the start of a Memorial Service. The ashes will be buried in the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood following the Service. A reception will follow.
If considering a donation, please give to the Canadian Cancer Society or to Jim’s favourite charity, The Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). Condolences may be sent to the Funeral Home.
