James Brian Czornobaj

James Czornobaj, a loving husband, father and friend. Jim spent his life caring for his family, friends, and animals, always putting them before himself. Jim would literally give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. He forged a deep connection with nature, spending most of his free time in the outdoors with friends and family exploring, hiking, fishing and connecting with the wild places he loves. Heading out on the river or into the woods with Jim was always an adventure, you are guaranteed a few scrapes, maybe get a little lost, definitely share some laughs, and always have a great story to tell afterwards. Jim loved his family fiercely, he cherished time with his wife Nancy and two kids Brenna and John.
Jim hitchhiked out west from Ontario as a young man with a few dollars in his pocket, he immediately fell in love with the wild west coast and started to make plans to settle on Vancouver Island. Nancy followed him out west shortly after and they started their life together. They bought a house and to say it was a fixer upper would be an understatement, Jim would say they bought it for the massive old growth trees that towered over the yard not the "house". Over the years Jim and Nancy turned the house into a home together, an oasis to raise their family, cultivate plants, and care for animals of all kinds. John and Brenna meant the world to Jim, he was not just a father to them but a best friend, a teacher, a mentor, a trusted advisor, and an inspiration. Jim was a father most could only dream of, always there when you needed him, ready to challenge you to grow, inspire you to do what you loved, and guide you when you asked. Jim truly loved Nancy, they spent nearly forty-five years by each other's side through good and bad forging a connection that could withstand anything. Their relationship was a true partnership with a rock-solid foundation of love and respect, a relationship and love to inspire their kids and others to strive for.
Jim and Nancy built a business together, through his time running Worlds Exotic Pets he touched countless people's lives by helping them learn about and care for animals. Worlds Exotic was more than a business to Jim, he loved meeting new people and sharing his passion for animals. He made many great friendships through the business; every day customers and friends would come in just to chat. Not only did he have passion for his job he was the best in the business, so much so people would contact him not only from all over Vancouver Island but across the country.
Jim had a passion for plants of all kinds, whether his vegetable or flower garden, ancient bonsais, rare orchids or the wild plants he admired while out adventuring in the woods. Jim had more than a few hobbies, mechanics, dirt biking, bonsai, gardening, antique roses, mushroom picking, animals of all kinds, camping, hiking, fishing, playing guitar, cooking, playing hockey, and many more. Never giving less than his all in anything he did, his hobbies all grew into passions that he loved to share with friends and family. Jim grew up fishing and his love of fly fishing especially was boundless. Mostly he saw it as an excuse to spend as much time as possible near wild rivers, floating or bushwhacking for hours it was never about the fish but being outdoors, the adventure and time spent with loved ones. He embodied the traits of one of his favorite fish, the wild steelhead; like the steelhead Jim was a rare find, unique, strong, determined, and he found refuge in remote wild sections of rivers.
Jim lives on in his kids and family and all of those whose lives he touched. He lives on in the wild places he loves, the rivers and woods he found refuge in, the family home he built, and the hearts of countless many.
"The clearest way into the universe in through a forest wilderness" John Muir "For me the world is weird because it is stupendous, awesome, mysterious, unfathomable; my interest has been to convince you that you must assume responsibility for being here, in this marvelous world, in this marvelous desert, in this marvelous time. I want to convince you that you must learn to make every act count, since you are going to be here for only a short while, in fact, too short for witnessing all the marvels of it." Carlos Castaneda I am a wave in the ocean. You can see me, you can measure me, you can describe me, you know what I am. When I crash on the shore I am gone but water remains, I have simply transformed. I return to the ocean, where I came from and where I am supposed to be. Thich Nhat Hanh (summarized)