With a heavy heart, we share this message from Alison Diesvelt, wife of our dear friend and colleague Jim Mandelin:
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of James (Jim) Eldon Mandelin. Jim passed peacefully on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at 68 years of age, after a valiant struggle with cancer. Jim was a loving and devoted friend and husband to Alison Diesvelt for over 25 years. He is survived by his four sons: James, Jason, Seth, and Siruss and by his stepdaughter, Lindsay. Jim always carried in his heart his 8 grandchildren: Rhada, Zia, Dario, Oakland, Isaiah, Salah, Gideon and Luna.
Jim was born in Calgary, Alberta on June 8th, 1955, to Eldon and Joyce Mandelin (Nee Bray) and is survived by younger brother, Glen; half-brothers Clayton and Kelly; and half-sister, Lana. His half-brother, Rick, predeceases him.
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“There is no-one you cannot love if you take the time to understand their story.” |
Jim’s early years were particularly difficult and were documented in an autobiography entitled, “A Life Worth Dying For” (2009). Demonstrating exceptional determination and resilience, Jim was 46 years clean and sober at the time of his passing. In his recovery he was always enthusiastic about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and gave generously of his time to help others in the community. He gave hundreds of talks to thousands of students and professionals on topics relating to recovery, resilience, social-emotional capacity, trauma-informed practice, and restorative justice.
In the latter decades of his life, he worked diligently and passionately with Homelessness Services Association of BC providing members with professional development opportunities to better serve some of the most disenfranchised members of our communities.
In 2016 he won the “Courage to Come Back Award” and was highlighted in the textbook “Offenders No More”. In 2023 he was a key figure in the documentary “Invisible No More”. Jim will be remembered as an enthusiastic optimist with a gentle sense of humour; a deeply compassionate and caring man; a loyal and loving father and husband; and an extraordinarily generous member of the community. He will be profoundly missed by all who came to know and love him.
May he rest in peace.
Jim’s family has created a Jim Mandelin's Online Memorial & Obituary | Keeper (mykeeper.com). Please consider sharing a memory or posting a tribute for Jim’s family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Jim Mandelin Education Fund. As a lasting legacy to Jim, this education fund will provide financial assistance to those with lived experience of homelessness to pursue learning and professional development for a career in the homelessness services sector.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on his 70th Birthday, Sunday, June 8th, 2025. Please see Jim’s Facebook page for details to be announced.
Jim was a mentor and a friend to many of us across the sector. His generosity, empathy, passion and commitment to helping others will forever remain the cornerstones of HSABC.