Iconic Matsqui Prairie dairyman Jim Waardenburg passed away on Saturday, after a year-long battle with lung cancer.
After a 16-year career in the banking industry, he and two brothers started the Waardenburg Brothers Dairy Farm in 1968. He served as a director and then president of the Fraser Valley Milk Producers Association, chairman of the BC Farm Debt Review Board, director and president for Dairy Farmers of Canada, vice-president of Dairyland and president of what is now MSA Society for Community Living.
“He was very capable, very professional, had a strong business background, a strong financial background, and was an absolute gentleman,” said Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen. “He was highly respected, right across Canada.”
Van Dongen was asked by Waardenburg to deliver his eulogy. A visitation will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Rd. today (Thursday) 7-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at the Salvation Army Cascade Community Church, 35190 DeLair Rd., on Friday at 1 p.m.
“I was saddened to learn... of the death of James (Jim) Waardenburg after his courageous battle with lung cancer. Jim was a neighbour of mine, a family friend, a dedicated family man, a successful dairyman and a man who understood the business of farming,” said Abbotsford West MLA and Minister of Health Michael de Jong.
“On behalf of my constituents, and all British Columbians, I offer my sincerest condolences to the Waardenburg family – wife Phyllis; children Lawrence, Debbie, Barry, Darryl; and his grandchildren – on the passing of this icon of the British Columbia dairy industry.”