James McNab Chrystal (1916 - 2009)

Born 20 Apr 1916 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Gertrude Miriam (Pohjola) Chrystal — married 16 Jan 1941 in Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada

Died 19 Nov 2009 at age 93 in Chilliwack, Fraser Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada

James Chrystal was born in British Columbia, Canada.

Biography

James was the son of Edward Chrystal and Anne McNab.

On November 19, 2009, at age 93, Jim was the last of his generation of Chrystals to pass away.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Jim had a long career in the RCAF after serving in WWII. After retirement from the Forces he had a ten year career as Manager of the Marine Building, foot of Burrard Street. He spent the last third of his life in Chilliwack, and will no doubt be remembered by all who crossed paths with him in his various capacities – as Freemason, Legion, RCAF Association, and Elks member and community volunteer. He was particularly proud of being instrumental in bringing Chilliwack’s Piper Richardson memorial project to fruition.

Jim delighted and excelled in sports – fishing, golf, baseball, bowling and curling; loved and hated the stock market, and had a fondness for small children and dogs that belied his gruff exterior.^[1]

RCAF Warrant Officer First Class, Foreman of Works James McNab Chrystal, CD (Ret'd) passed away in Chilliwack on 19 November 2009 at age 93.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Jim was a WW II veteran and had a long post-war Construction Engineering career in the RCAF. He served with distinction in the Construction Engineering section on a number of RCAF bases. After retirement from the Canadian Forces Jim had a ten-year career as Building Manager of the Marine Building, Vancouver's landmark high rise office building.

Moving to Chilliwack, he joined 879 (Earl MacLeod) RCAF Wing (Chilliwack) of the Air Force Association of Canada and was a faithful Wing member right up to the time of his demise. Jim was a generous man who gave freely to community service organizations and was active in other areas such as a Freemason, Legion, and Elks member and a community volunteer.

One of Jim's achievements in Chilliwack was the installation of the Piper Richardson Memorial statue that resides in Veteran's Memorial Park grounds beside the Chilliwack Museum building. Jim was also involved with the "Blue Hydrangea Living Memorial Garden" on the grounds of the Chilliwack Middle School [formerly the Chilliwack High School on Yale Road East]. This memorial was originated in 1942 to honour former students and teachers who had joined the RCAF and had lost their lives in combat during WW II. As each casualty was made known, an additional Blue Hydrangea bush was planted and there were 48 bushes by the end of the war. Throughout the ensuing years, the Garden fell into neglect and Jim lead the way to revive and rededicate the Memorial. Failing health did not allow him the energy to finish the project but colleagues completed his work. On 6 May 2009 the memorial was rededicated and now includes a special plaque that commemorates the rededication beside the photograph display of those 48 airmen. A similar ceremony will be held on the school grounds each year to remind younger generations of Canadians of the sacrifices made.^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Obituary. The Chilliwack Progress. https://www.theprogress.com/obituaries/james-mcnab-chrystal/ Accessed 20 July 2022.
2. ↑ Obituary. The Canadian Military Engineers Association. https://cmea-agmc.ca/woi-james-mcnab-chrystal-cd-retd Accessed 20 July 2022.

• Wedding Announcement. The Province. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 23 Jan 1941, page 9. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105940381/marriage-of-chrystalpohjola/ Accessed 20 July 2022.

• News Clipping. The Province. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 04 May 1943, Page 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105973902/james-mcnab-chrystal/ Accessed 20 July 2022.

• "BillionGraves Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24Z-82YH : 29 November 2016), James McNab Chrystal, died 12 Nov 2009; citing BillionGraves (http://www.billiongraves.com : 2012), Burial at Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

• Find a Grave, database and images, memorial page for Warrant Offr 1stClass James McNab “Jim” Chrystal (20 Apr 1916–19 Nov 2009), Find A Grave: Memorial #169951747, citing Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, Greater Vancouver Regional District, British Columbia, Canada ; Maintained by Islandergirl (contributor 48322933) .