Remembering Jim Breadner

Jim Breadner of Quesnel, BC, passed away January 11, 2026, at the age of 83.

Jim was born on the family farm in Tisdale, Saskatchewan to Bill and Marguerite Breadner on April 9 1942, the youngest of three siblings, after Wilda and Blaine. He grew up a farmer, learning machinery, maintenance, and self reliance at an early age. He had a lifelong practical joker streak, wreaking havoc in his youth with Wayne McIntyre and others.

He met Kathleen “Kathy” Anderson in Whitehorse in the fall of 1969 and were married on the 19th of December 1970 in Vancouver, BC. They moved back and forth between BC and Saskatchewan; their son Jeff was born in Saskatchewan in 1973, then Michelle was born in 1975 while in Burnaby, finally settling in Quesnel in 1976, where Erin was born in 1977.

Jim built the family home, from the bottom up. He worked for Mac Brothers for a few years, then decided to open his own business, Jim Breadner Contracting. He was struck by gold fever, which never left! Mining played well to his strengths; his ability to craft complex machinery from seemingly nothing, his ability to understand the land and how it evolved over time. Through this he formed friendships and partnerships with a wide variety of people. He always had time for his family, garden and creativity. He loved nature which was seen in how he created a space at home for it all.

With Jim Breadner Contracting, Jim did heavy duty mechanical work, welding, and fabricating, often fixing logging, farming, and gold mining equipment. He was always helping many out with his genius ways of fixing so many things, from the complex to simple. He had the rare ability to be an engineer and builder at the same time. Once he retired from this he enjoyed fishing, wood turning and gardening. In his later years, Jim enjoyed life to the fullest that he could, once being afflicted by Alzheimer’s. He was able to enjoy life and company till the end.

Jim passed away with his loving wife Kathy of 55 years, and long time friend by his side. In the end, he was comfortable and at peace. Jim will be remembered as an honorable, kind, hard working and loyal husband, father, Grandpa, family and friend to many. He is survived by his wife Kathy, children Jeff (Susan), Michelle (Karl), and Erin (Kurt), and grandchildren Logan, Jordan, Sarah, Owen, Ethan, Nicola, and Max.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

A memorial service will be held on March 21, 2026, at Bouchie Lake Coummunity Hall.  Please see the Celebration page for more details.