James Taylor Goodhand passed from this earthly existence on August 28th.
I first knew Captain Jim Goodhand in his Wardair pilot days when I worked for Wardair as well out of Pearson International in Mississauga.
He was a good guy.
He flew the big 747 and was a training Captain for other pilots wanting to do the same.
Wardair made Jim Director of Flight Standards.
Captain Jim retired in 1998 with Canadian Airlines but was hired as a Simulator Instructor with Royal Airlines- now defunct, finally working for Air Canada. For 30 years Jim enjoyed his life with Barbie.
Captain Jim retired in 1998 with Canadian Airlines but was hired as a Simulator Instructor with Royal Airlines- now defunct, finally working for Air Canada. For 30 years Jim enjoyed his life with Barbie.
Barb was a Wardair Flight Attendant and eventually made the move- along with the rest of us, to Canadian Airlines when CAIL bought Wardair.
Barbie’s always funny, engaging and is always in a good mood.
She referred to Jim as “The Big Guy”.
Rightly so.
He was indeed a Big Man with a Big Heart.
I didn’t make Jim’s Memorial service but Tom was there after his flight landed from London England last Friday. He brought me the programme from the memorial service.
My heart was especially armed by the poem Barbie had placed on the back cover.
As a nod to ‘The Big Guy” I have re-printed it for you below.
Safe Flight Captain Goodhand!
We’ll see you soon.
I won’t know where I’m going and I won’t know where I’ve been
As I tumble through the always and look back toward the when.
I’ll glide beyond the rainbow.
I’ll drift about the sky.
I’ll fly into the wonder,
Without ever wondering why.
I won’t remember getting there; somehow I’ll just arrive-
But I’ll know that I belong there and feel much more alive than I have ever felt before.
There is a not a single thing I have collected in my life that I would ever want to bring-except…
The love of those who loved me and the warmth of those who cared-
The happiness and memories and magic that we shared.
I will cherish all the friendships I was fortunate to find,
All the Love and all the laughter in the place I leave behind.
All those good things go with me.
They will make my spirit glow-
And that light will shine forever in the next place that I go.
