James E. Wing, age 97, of Vancouver, BC, died Aug. 26, 2022 at home in Vancouver, overlooking the bay he loved to sail in, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on August 4, 1925, to Eng Wing Him and Wing Leung Lin in Kamloops, BC.
Jim is survived by his wife Christine June (nee Lew) married August 25,1962, and 4 children, son Grant and daughters Carolyn (Geoff), Jennifer (Edwin) and Deanna (Sean), grandchildren, Angus, Madelaine, Sophie, Owen, Ryan, Georgia, sister Jean, brother David and a large extended family.
Jim was raised in Kamloops with 3 brothers and 3 sisters where he spent his early years working for his family’s businesses and fondly remembered fishing with his dad in Paul Lake. He then went on to earn a degree in Pharmacy at the UBC School of Pharmacy in 1954.
Jim’s dedication to the pharmaceutical sciences can be traced to losing a leg in a childhood accident and his keen awareness that the latest drugs of the day saved his life.
Jim’s long and successful career in retail pharmacy began at Lee’s Pharmacy in Chinatown, then in Dawson Creek, Tobin and Reliable Drugs, Cunningham Drugs and a new Shoppers Drug Mart franchise on Broadway and Commercial.
Jim founded Alpha Pharmaceuticals in 1978 where he pioneered the use of then state of the art microcomputers and software to offer same day prescription drug delivery to BC pharmacies. Alpha provided service to pharmacies all over B.C. before closing in 1996.
Jim’s amazing energy, commitment to excellent customer service, fair dealing and dedication to the independent neighborhood pharmacy were key to Alpha’s success.
Jim led by example and his work ethic not only provided generously for his family but equally important to him, provided opportunities for the scores of people he employed over the years.
As a long-time member of Shaughnessy Heights United Church, Jim served faithfully in the church office Sundays after services. He served on the boards of Oakridge House (Chaishan) Seniors Residence, West Point Grey Home Owner’s Association. And, as a keen gardener, was a member of the Chrysanthemum Society of Vancouver.
June was the love of his life and enthusiastic partner to all of his ventures and adventures. They enjoyed travelling together on business and pleasure but enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren most of all. Jim passed away one day after their sixtieth wedding anniversary.
Jim’s family would like to express profound thanks to all of the healthcare professionals who kept him well for all of his 97 years and the Home Vive program and his “Dream Team” of caregivers who compassionately helped him to the very end.
In honour of Jim’s lifelong commitment to helping others, and his dedication to the pharmacy profession, his family is establishing a scholarship supporting students in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC. It is his family’s wish to raise funds towards an endowed award at UBC to continue in perpetuity.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the James E. Wing Endowed Scholarship for the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UBC. https://give.ubc.ca/memorial/james-wing/
A celebration of life will be held on October 29 at 2:00 pm at Shaughnessy Heights United Church – 1550 West 33rd Ave., Vancouver, BC.