444 THE ADVOCATE
VOL. 80 PART 3 MAY 2022
leave of absence to take on the position of magistrate of the Cayman
Islands. Jim, Daphne and their children moved to the Cayman Islands for
this period. His court work was demanding and immensely interesting. Life
in the Cayman Islands provided lasting memories for the Shaw family.
In 1979, he returned to British Columbia as a judge of the newly formed
Provincial Court. He and his family moved to Bowen Island where their
family home has been ever since. He became the administrative judge for
the Coast District and subsequently an Associate Chief Judge of the court.
He formally retired from the court in 1991. For several years, he continued
sitting as an ad hoc judge of the court.
Jim and I crossed paths in our respective legal careers during a two-year
period when we were both members of the Judicial Council of the Provincial
Court, he as Associate Chief Judge and I as the appointee of the B.C.
branch of the Canadian Bar Association. Our main job was to consider
potential appointees to the Provincial Court and provide our recommendations
to the provincial government. I saw first-hand Jim’s knowledge and
wisdom in operation. I was impressed.
Jim enjoyed adding to the public understanding of the rule of law. From
time to time, in full court regalia, he would visit the Bowen Island Community
School and conduct mock trials of characters like Robin Hood and Paul
Bunyan. Jim had the children and attending members of the community
playing various roles in the proceedings. I am told by two of his own children
that at one of these trials Jim said that it was the first time he ever
called a murder victim to testify as a witness.
Jim was a man of many and varied interests. He sang in the Bowen Island
Community Choir. He was a superb bridge player. He enjoyed playing
poker with a group of old friends. He was an avid badminton player. He
loved music and instilled this love in his children. He was also a genealogist.
Above all, Jim enjoyed his family. They were central to his life.
Jim leaves behind his wife Daphne and four of their five children:
Catherine Shaw (Ira), Susan Leithead (Bill), Duncan H. Shaw (Betty) and
Allison Shaw (John). He was predeceased by his son Jamie (Celeste). He
also leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jim was predeceased by his sister Lois Rain. I am the remaining sibling.
Jim was an excellent lawyer who served his many clients well. He was a
good judge who, with his common-sense wisdom, served the public well.
He was a good husband and a good father. He and Daphne raised their five
children to become contributing members of the community.
Jim, thank you for being my wise older brother and lifelong friend.
The Honourable Duncan W. Shaw