Obituary of Jim Fair

James (Jim) Hedley Fair, born on November 26, 1935, in Bristol, England, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He was 89 years of age.

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Paulette (née Desbiens). He was the proud father of Kathleen, David, Denise, and Richard, and cherished grandfather to Aydin, Casey, Preston, Kevin, Sara, Lyndsay, and Samson. His granddaughter, Sara, passed away less than six weeks before her grandfather - a loss deeply felt by the family. Jim was the brother of Diane, and was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Ada Fair. He was deeply loved by his friends and extended family – cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Jim and Paulette met while both working for the Ministry of Lands and Forests, where Jim worked as a draftsman. Their lives took an eventful turn when they decided to leave the city life and purchase a farm near Brighton, Ontario. This was a leap of faith that was equal parts naive and brave. They had never farmed before, and the early years were challenging, but ultimately, the move shaped the family’s story.

Their home, affectionately known as Fair’s Freeloader’s Haven, became a refuge not only for extended family but also for wayward friends of their children and more animals than could be counted. The farm evolved over the decades: from cucumber fields to apple orchards to a full-fledged market garden.

He also drove a school bus for many years and though he was famously bad with names, the students never forgot his. Long after retiring from bus driving, his former students would stop him in the street and share a fond memory or two.

Jim was known for his many accidents over the years, including many scars, broken bones and even losing a finger. His most recent was falling off a mountain while touring New Zealand with his daughters and several grandchildren. What he wouldn’t do for a bit of attention and a helicopter retrieval!

Photography was one of Jim’s lifelong passions, and he spent many winters transferring his thousands of slides into digital photos. His subjects were varied but almost always had some element of nature. He had a deep love of travel and rarely needed convincing to hit the road. After retiring from farming, he turned his attention to cultivating flowers - especially his beloved dahlias, which he grew with care and pride.

Jim will be missed by all the lives he touched.

A private memorial for immediate family will be planned for a future date.