Tim Jones honoured at North Vancouver memorial service

Tim Jones, a tireless volunteer and spokesman for North Shore Rescue, was honoured with a parade and memorial on Saturday morning in North Vancouver, following his unexpected death last Sunday.

Jones, who also worked as an advanced life-support paramedic for the B.C. Ambulance Service in North Vancouver, died Sunday evening after having a sudden cardiac arrest on a trail near a North Shore Rescue cabin on Mount Seymour. He was 57.

• Read More: Tim Jones remembered as a hero​
• Watch Jones in To the Rescue on CBC's Doc Zone

The celebration of life began at 10:30 a.m. PT with a 90-minute honour parade starting at the Fell Armoury on 15th Street and Forbes Avenue in North Vancouver.

The procession then moved along 14 blocks through the Lonsdale neighbourhood and ended at Centennial Theatre, at 2300 Lonsdale Ave. The service inside the 600-seat theatre was for invited guests only.

Members of the public were encouraged to come out to observe the honour parade along its route, and to watch the memorial service on large screens that will be set up outside the theatre.

Those planning to attend were encouraged to walk, bike or take the bus because road closures will be in effect around the parade route and Norseman Park.

There was no public parking allowed at the theatre parking lot, which was instead used as a landing area for four helicopters, including the 442 squadron military helicopter and RCMP Air 1, that assisted Jones and his team on so many life-saving rescues.

At the family’s request, donations in memory of Tim Jones can be made to the North Shore Rescue Team at ​www.northshorerescue.com.