We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer James "Jim" Gerald William Wight CD, peacefully at home in Cold Lake AB on 6 January 2023 at age 51, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jim was a former Combat Engineer who remustered to Aviation Systems Technician.
Jim was born in St. Johns, NL and 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 in 1991 as a Combat Engineer with 56th Engineer Squadron. He soon deployed in 1993 as a member of the United Nations Protection Force where he served in Sector South/Medak with 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry. Jim transferred to the Regular Force as a Combat Engineer in 1996 and joined 4 Engineer Support Regiment in Canadian Forces Base Gagetown NB. While stationed there, he deployed to Bosnia in 1999 on Operation PALLADIUM and to Eritrea , Africa in 2000 on Op ECLIPSE. He also served as an instructor in the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering.
Jim then made a transition to the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Aviation Systems Technician. After completing his trades training at CFB Borden ON, Jim was posted to CFB Shearwater NS in 2004. He spent four years working on the Sea King helicopters before being posted to Cold Lake AB in 2008 where he spent the rest of his career. Jim’s first assignment in Cold Lake was working on the CF-18 Hornet as a Junior Crew Supervisor within 409 Squadron. Jim went on one more tour to Europe..He became an instructor at 10 Field Technical Training Squadron responsible for training future technicians. Another among Jim’s long military career was his participation in the annual 120 kilometre Nijmegen Marches in The Netherlands. Jim finished his career as a Warrant Officer in the position of Senior Air Maintenance Superintendent at 410 Squadron.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held for Jim at 1:00 PM on Monday, 16 January 2023, at Club 41 [ 41 Beaverlodge Road, on 4 Wing. Cold Lake]. Jim’s family hopes that all who have been honoured to know, make the acquaintance of, and befriend Jim will attend.
Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. Donations can be made in memory of Jim to The Terry Fox Foundation.
