James Douglas Prentice

Jim was born in NZ and lived in the UK and Ontario with his Royal Navy father and family, until they settled in Victoria, BC in the middle 30s. Schooling in three provinces was followed by studies at Royal Roads, McGill, and Glasgow University, where he earned his Ph.D in  physics. This led to an exciting research career in high energy and particle physics at laboratories in Canada, the US, the UK, and Germany and the co-founding of the first group in experimental particle physics in Canada; involvement in the founding of the Canadian Institute of  Particle Physics; and a happy teaching career at the University of Toronto, where he experimented with student self-evaluation and, in addition to working with undergraduate and graduate students, enjoyed creating courses for non-physicists through the Department of Continuing Studies.
Jim loved the outdoors. In his youth he revelled in summers at the Gang Ranch in BC. He was on the Scottish ski team and played rugby football, meeting his wife-to-be on a blind date organized by the Toronto Nomads. When he gave up rugger, he turned to running, then rowing, participating in local regattas and in the World Masters Games in Edmonton. He also loved sailing, windsurfing and canoeing, and introduced these activities to his sons, grandsons, and others in Algonquin Park, the waters off Vancouver Island, and later in two much-loved settings in Georgian Bay. Over the years he completed four northern river canoe trips and, in his retirement, added to his adventures sailing across two oceans with his son and grandsons, and volunteering on a whale research vessel in the Galapagos Islands.
On moving  to Victoria in 1995, Jim attended and then joined the Quaker Meeting, led there primarily by his commitment to the peace movement. Preserving the environment and reconciling with indigenous peoples also became increasingly important concerns. But perhaps most central to his life in retirement was the school he co-founded, Oak and Orca Bioregional School, devoted to outdoor education and self-directed learning. Until he could no longer make the hills, he cycled there most weekdays to volunteer.
Jim met his death with courage and grace. He leaves a much-loved family: his wife Alison, son Douglas and grandchildren Guthrie and Theo. He also leaves his sister-in-law, Debby Vernon and his Vernon nieces and nephew, Kathy, Sue, and Geoffrey and their partners and children; his Hilliard nieces and nephews, Robin, Andy, Jonathon, Sarah, and Martha and their partners and children; and fond memories of his son Matthew and sister Heather Hilliard, both deceased. He leaves, as well, many people who loved him, though not related. We thank them all for their concern for and loving care of Jim at the end, and also wish to thank the kind staff at the Trillium care homes. A celebration of life will take place at the Quaker Meeting House, 1831 Fern St., on March 3rd at 2 pm

Celebration of Life