Fonds paa-9667 - Bucknell family fonds

James (Jim) Robert Bucknell was born in Glenevis, Alberta on January 8, 1923 to Steven Bucknell and Myrtle (Nordquist) Bucknell. He was the oldest son of Steven's second family. Steven was married to Myrtle Caldwell and they had 4 children before Steven's wife died in the flu epidemic of 1918. The children from the first family are Edward, Leonard, Doris and Myrtle Bucknell. The children from the second family are James Robert, Florence, George, Margaret, Algie, Elsie, Helen and Danny. Jim married Irene Grenier March 3rd 1941 in Carbon, Alberta. Irene was born in Vancouver, B.C. on March 28, 1922. Her father Victor Grenier moved there with his second wife Jane (Holmes), Irene's mom. They moved back to Carbon, Alberta after Irene became sick as a young child with bronchitis and the doctor advised her parents to take her to a drier climate. Part of Irene's history is in the Carbon History Book. Jim worked at the Fox Mine east of Carbon, Alberta, the Minute Mine in Drumheller, Alberta and Ideal Coal Mine in Wayne, Alberta. Their son Donald James was born on January 19. 1942. Their second son Allan Wayne was born October 3, 1944 and they raised an adopted daughter Maryanne. After moving to Edmonton, Alberta, Jim obtained employment with Canadian National Railways. He drove truck for them for many years and then obtained a position in the dispatch office. He worked for the CN for over 35 years. In 1973 Jim purchased his maternal grandfather's homestead in Glenevis, Alberta, from his Uncle Oscar Nordquist. Jim and Irene looked after Oscar until his death in 1986. Shortly after moving to the farm Jim retired from the CN and he and Irene raised chickens, pigs and sheep. They had their 35th wedding anniversary in the Glenevis Community Hall, with her bridesmaid travelling from Vancouver, B.C. to attend the celebration. Jim and Irene were married for 66 year in 2007. James and Irene Bucknell moved back to Edmonton in 1993 (after the death of one of their grandsons James Cory Bucknell in a motor vehicle accident) moving into a smaller home. They sold the farm to their eldest son Don. Jim and Irene enjoyed many trips to British Columbia, Hawaii, Minnesota, and in Alberta, visiting friends and family throughout these areas. Jim also enjoyed fishing and camping throughout Alberta with Irene, and hunting in the fall with his brothers, uncle and brother in law. Jim had an interest in automobiles and owned many over the years. Jim died February 27, 2007 at the age of 84. Irene died November 28, 2008 at the age of 85.