James Bernie Bracht

July 27, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

With great sadness we announce the passing of James Bernie (Jamie) Bracht, peacefully, at home, on 27 July 2024.

Born and raised in Port Alberni, Jamie is predeceased by parents Enid and Jim and brother David; he is survived by sisters Susan Walker, Mary Stanley and Kathryn Bracht and their respective families, and by special friend and loyal co-adventurer, Geri Seinen.

At 19 years old Jamie became an independent trucker, hauling road-building material in the thriving forest industry of the 1970's. He hauled fish and pulp and sawmill waste in his modest little company, which he called 'Jamie's Fish & Chips.'

In the late 70's he pursued another interest - fuelled by the same passion as most dedicated truckers - and learned how to build a better truck. He joined Kenworth trucking on the mainland as a custom truck builder, assembling components from various suppliers to build custom vehicles.

When the forest industry began to decline in the 1980's, so did truck manufacturing. With the thriving heydays on the wane, Jamie came home to PA to start living the life his father had hoped he would - working in and managing the family trucking and excavation business, at Rayner & Bracht Ltd - where he put his truck designing skills to work. He improved the short-haul wood-chip transportation system and designed and built a trailer that self-unloaded in seconds.

In all areas of his life, Jamie was quietly inquisitive, inventive, and daring - he instinctively focussed on solutions instead of problems and could 'think outside the box' like a pro.

Tender-hearted and caring, he was always willing to show up when an extra hand was needed, or when someone was going through a tough time. He truly gave unstintingly of himself and asked for nothing in return; he simply enjoyed the success of others in what he helped create. At the same time, he dealt with serious health issues over many years, but he carried on without complaint and would say, 'Ask me what I'm doing, not how I'm doing!'

In his younger days Jamie was a skilled pilot, diver, parachutist, boater and hang-glider, becoming a keen motorcyclist in his golden years. He gave truth to the saying that "It's not the years of your life that count, it's the life in your years.'

He kept his sense of adventure alive and maintained his spirit of gratitude to the end, wishing all those he left behind a full and wonderful life. To his family, whether at work or at play, he was always a First Class, Canadian Grade A, Number One Son.

To his many exceptional friends, Jamie was well and truly, 'a man to ride the river with,' and a celebration of his life will be held Sunday 29th September in the Eagle Nest Restaurant at Alberni Golf course, from 2 - 4 p.m. (when his 'Icarus Moment' will inevitably be mentioned!)