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On June 19, 2023, Jim Wilson, a former M2W2 employee, passed away. We at M2W2 offer our condolences to Marci, Jim’s wife of over 60 years, as well as his family and loved ones. Jim was 83 years old. We will remember him for his kindness and compassion. 

For over two decades, beginning in 1980, Jim worked for us as a volunteer coordinator. Through the years, he coordinated mentoring programs and visited people incarcerated at several prisons including Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women (BCCW), Fraser Valley Institution for Women (FVI), Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village (formerly Elbow Lake), Matsqui, and Mission Minimum (formerly known as Ferndale). He retired from M2W2 in the early 2000s only to return in the spring of 2007 in a part-time role. 

We’re thankful for Jim. We’re inspired by him, and the way he devoted his career to helping people in prison. He brought encouragement and belonging to so many. 

‘Someone to Lift Others Up’ 

We reached out to a few of Jim’s former colleagues and contemporaries, and they shared a little bit about what Jim meant to them and the organization. (Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.) 

“Jim was one of a kind,” said Lucie Bellavance, who worked for CSC (Correctional Service Canada) for 30 years. She first met Jim at Matsqui in 1985. “He would come to the institution being very reserved, but the guys gravitated to him. They saw him as a mentor. He was not judgmental. He always had time for people. When he spoke to you, he was focused on you, even if someone else was trying to grab his attention.” 

Cora Goodyear, a former M2W2 volunteer and employee, described how he made people feel comfortable. “He had exceptional listening skills,” she said. “He would hear what was said and hear what was not said. He encouraged people, gave them practical advice. He mainly gave them hope.” 

Elder Pascal Adam said, “He was very polite, very kind. I think the guys gravitated toward him because of that. I really appreciated his attitude. The men inside the walls did the same. He was well respected and lots of the guys miss him.” 

Jim used to visit men at Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village and was honoured with a blanketing ceremony for his contributions.

Waldy Klassen, Executive Director of M2W2 from 1977 to 1998, said that Jim was a well-loved addition to M2W2 during his time. “He had a phenomenal heart for people. In all the years, I never heard him say a negative word about someone in prison. He spoke compassionate words, in a way that others would understand and have empathy. He saw his role as someone to lift others up.” 

John Friesen, a former colleague of Jim’s, shared his reflections in an email: “When I think of Jim, my thoughts immediately centre on his compassion for people and especially for the broken and marginalized. He had that aura of wanting to be faithful to God’s concern for the people who had experienced difficulties and traumas in their lives and people would sense that and respond to his kindness. He didn’t give up on anyone and would in his soft and gentle way encourage people to seek a better future.” 

Bernie Martens, another former colleague, said that Jim was someone who welcomed people into his home. “He was a very generous person in terms of time and support. He was willing to go the extra mile with whomever he was working with to make sure they were okay.” 

Wayne Northey, Executive Director from 1998 to 2014, wrote, “Jim was one of the most compassionate people I have known. At the same time, he was totally unassuming. He was always a pleasure to co-labour with. He deeply cared.”

Remembering a Friend 

In Whatever You Did for One… You Did for Me, a book of essays and photos compiled by George Epp in 2006, Jim writes about his friend Vinnie, whom he met at Matsqui. 

Jim reflects on Vinnie’s final weeks, remembering a shared meal, Vinnie’s sense of humour, and the sadness of Vinnie’s passing away in prison, separated from his friends. He also describes the growth he saw in Vinnie and how he was challenged by Vinnie’s insights and questions during Bible studies. 

As he writes about Vinnie the man — recounting his quirks, his faith, his regrets — Jim reminds us that spending time with him was more than just his job. It was his calling. He saw Vinnie as a true friend, and he keenly observes the impact that Vinnie had on his life, writing, “It was his friendship that reminds me why my life is so beautiful.”

Thank you, Jim, for inspiring all of us at M2W2. Your legacy is one of kindness and friendship.

If you’d like to donate to M2W2 in Jim’s memory, please visit this page and enter Jim’s name in the dedication field. Thank you.

To read more about Jim, visit Wayne Northey’s website. Wayne posted an excerpt of this tribute along with a few reflections and stories of his own.