Canadian Mining Pioneer Jim Redpath Dies at 88 After Courageous Fight

James (Jim) Stockton Redpath, a prominent figure in the Canadian mining industry, passed away on August 2, 2023, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, after a courageous two-decade battle with Parkinson’s disease. His obituary celebrates a life marked by significant achievements in mining engineering and contributions to the arts.

Trailblazer in Mining Engineering

Redpath was only 26 years old when he founded J.S. Redpath Ltd., a firm specializing in mining contracting and shaft sinking in North Bay. This company, now known as Redpath Mining Contractors and Engineers, began with just four employees in October 1962 and has since grown into a global leader in the mining sector. By its 60th anniversary in 2022, the company employed over 6,400 people worldwide, including 200 in North Bay.

Born in Val-d’Or, Quebec, Redpath spent his formative years working on a small exploration boat in Hudson Bay. This early experience ingrained in him a strong work ethic and a lasting appreciation for the Canadian North. He earned a degree in mining engineering from McGill University before launching his groundbreaking business.

Under Redpath’s leadership, the company quickly secured major projects, including the Creighton Mine No. 9 Shaft in Ontario, which was the deepest shaft in North America at the time. Known for its technical excellence and integrity, Redpath Mining became a respected name in mining services worldwide. Redpath retired at the age of 50, proud of the legacy he built.

A Passion for the Arts

After stepping away from the mining industry, Redpath pursued studies in art curation at Sotheby’s in New York. He later took on a leadership role at North Bay’s Capitol Arts Centre, where he championed local artists and promoted cultural development. Following his retirement, Jim and his wife Bobbi settled in St. John’s, where they became active members of the vibrant arts community.

Redpath’s contributions to both industry and the arts earned him numerous accolades, including honorary doctorates from Nipissing University and McGill University. He served as the first Chancellor of Nipissing University in 1994 and received prestigious awards such as Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals and the Order of Ontario.

He is survived by his wife, Bobbi, with whom he shared over 50 years of marriage, and by his children Carolyn, Lorraine, John, and Sarah, along with five grandchildren. His siblings, Anne and John, predeceased him. The obituary describes him as a man of vision, reinvention, and quiet philanthropy, whose impact will be remembered fondly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 20, 2023, at 16:00 at The Rooms in St. John’s, Newfoundland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkinson Canada or a local arts organization in Jim’s memory.