To Dad: You were our Step-Dad, but every bit as much of a "Dad" to us as any biological father could ever be. We love you and miss you.
Jim was born in Edmonton, Alberta to Thomas and Gladys (Fox) Tustin. He was raised in Waseca, Saskatchewan and Big Valley, Alberta where his father was a telegrapher and agent for the C.N. Railroad. He served with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps during the Korean Conflict as a liaison to the U.S. Army's 8055 M.A.S.H. Unit. He then was transferred to Japan and was the last Canadian service man there.
In 1966, this brave man took an early discharge after 16 years of service, married a lovely young widow with 7 children and moved to the town of North East, PA where he and his new bride owned and operated the Valley Drive-In and Patio Drive-In restaurants over the next 18 years. My brothers and sisters and I were certainly not angels at times, but love conquers all. Dad never kept it a secret that he loved us all.
With the children all raised and flown from the coop, Dad and Mom "snow-birded" to Tucson, Arizona for a few years before settling there permanently. He worked at the Blue Flame Propane Co. and as a maintenance supervisor for Tucson's Flowing Wells School District until his retirement. After retiring, and wanting to remain active, he worked part-time for Wagons West retirement mobile home park and Western Warehouse clothing stores.
During the last couple of years of his life, he survived several illneses and injuries which would have immediately felled less stalwart individuals. He eventually passed at age 82 and we still miss him tremendously.
The symbols on his headstone are a saguaro cactus for Arizona, a maple leaf for Canada, his trademark cowboy hat & boots (being raised in the western plains of Alberta he was very fond of western gear) which he wore from his release from the Army until his passing. In the 60's & 70's it was an unusual sight in our small PA town and everyone could identify him from 2 blocks away. He even had a pair of his cowboy boots fitted with golf cleats! ^_^ The last symbol in the middle of the stone is supposed to be an ice cream cone (I think it needs a 2nd scoop to keep it from looking like a parachute).
He was the proud "Grandpa" of 9
and "Great-Grandpa" of 5.
Jim was born in Edmonton, Alberta to Thomas and Gladys (Fox) Tustin. He was raised in Waseca, Saskatchewan and Big Valley, Alberta where his father was a telegrapher and agent for the C.N. Railroad. He served with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps during the Korean Conflict as a liaison to the U.S. Army's 8055 M.A.S.H. Unit. He then was transferred to Japan and was the last Canadian service man there.
In 1966, this brave man took an early discharge after 16 years of service, married a lovely young widow with 7 children and moved to the town of North East, PA where he and his new bride owned and operated the Valley Drive-In and Patio Drive-In restaurants over the next 18 years. My brothers and sisters and I were certainly not angels at times, but love conquers all. Dad never kept it a secret that he loved us all.
With the children all raised and flown from the coop, Dad and Mom "snow-birded" to Tucson, Arizona for a few years before settling there permanently. He worked at the Blue Flame Propane Co. and as a maintenance supervisor for Tucson's Flowing Wells School District until his retirement. After retiring, and wanting to remain active, he worked part-time for Wagons West retirement mobile home park and Western Warehouse clothing stores.
During the last couple of years of his life, he survived several illneses and injuries which would have immediately felled less stalwart individuals. He eventually passed at age 82 and we still miss him tremendously.
The symbols on his headstone are a saguaro cactus for Arizona, a maple leaf for Canada, his trademark cowboy hat & boots (being raised in the western plains of Alberta he was very fond of western gear) which he wore from his release from the Army until his passing. In the 60's & 70's it was an unusual sight in our small PA town and everyone could identify him from 2 blocks away. He even had a pair of his cowboy boots fitted with golf cleats! ^_^ The last symbol in the middle of the stone is supposed to be an ice cream cone (I think it needs a 2nd scoop to keep it from looking like a parachute).
He was the proud "Grandpa" of 9
and "Great-Grandpa" of 5.
To Dad: You were our Step-Dad, but every bit as much of a "Dad" to us as any biological father could ever be. We love you and miss you.
Jim was born in Edmonton, Alberta to Thomas and Gladys (Fox) Tustin. He was raised in Waseca, Saskatchewan and Big Valley, Alberta where his father was a telegrapher and agent for the C.N. Railroad. He served with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps during the Korean Conflict as a liaison to the U.S. Army's 8055 M.A.S.H. Unit. He then was transferred to Japan and was the last Canadian service man there.
In 1966, this brave man took an early discharge after 16 years of service, married a lovely young widow with 7 children and moved to the town of North East, PA where he and his new bride owned and operated the Valley Drive-In and Patio Drive-In restaurants over the next 18 years. My brothers and sisters and I were certainly not angels at times, but love conquers all. Dad never kept it a secret that he loved us all.
With the children all raised and flown from the coop, Dad and Mom "snow-birded" to Tucson, Arizona for a few years before settling there permanently. He worked at the Blue Flame Propane Co. and as a maintenance supervisor for Tucson's Flowing Wells School District until his retirement. After retiring, and wanting to remain active, he worked part-time for Wagons West retirement mobile home park and Western Warehouse clothing stores.
During the last couple of years of his life, he survived several illneses and injuries which would have immediately felled less stalwart individuals. He eventually passed at age 82 and we still miss him tremendously.
The symbols on his headstone are a saguaro cactus for Arizona, a maple leaf for Canada, his trademark cowboy hat & boots (being raised in the western plains of Alberta he was very fond of western gear) which he wore from his release from the Army until his passing. In the 60's & 70's it was an unusual sight in our small PA town and everyone could identify him from 2 blocks away. He even had a pair of his cowboy boots fitted with golf cleats! ^_^ The last symbol in the middle of the stone is supposed to be an ice cream cone (I think it needs a 2nd scoop to keep it from looking like a parachute).
He was the proud "Grandpa" of 9
and "Great-Grandpa" of 5.
Jim was born in Edmonton, Alberta to Thomas and Gladys (Fox) Tustin. He was raised in Waseca, Saskatchewan and Big Valley, Alberta where his father was a telegrapher and agent for the C.N. Railroad. He served with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps during the Korean Conflict as a liaison to the U.S. Army's 8055 M.A.S.H. Unit. He then was transferred to Japan and was the last Canadian service man there.
In 1966, this brave man took an early discharge after 16 years of service, married a lovely young widow with 7 children and moved to the town of North East, PA where he and his new bride owned and operated the Valley Drive-In and Patio Drive-In restaurants over the next 18 years. My brothers and sisters and I were certainly not angels at times, but love conquers all. Dad never kept it a secret that he loved us all.
With the children all raised and flown from the coop, Dad and Mom "snow-birded" to Tucson, Arizona for a few years before settling there permanently. He worked at the Blue Flame Propane Co. and as a maintenance supervisor for Tucson's Flowing Wells School District until his retirement. After retiring, and wanting to remain active, he worked part-time for Wagons West retirement mobile home park and Western Warehouse clothing stores.
During the last couple of years of his life, he survived several illneses and injuries which would have immediately felled less stalwart individuals. He eventually passed at age 82 and we still miss him tremendously.
The symbols on his headstone are a saguaro cactus for Arizona, a maple leaf for Canada, his trademark cowboy hat & boots (being raised in the western plains of Alberta he was very fond of western gear) which he wore from his release from the Army until his passing. In the 60's & 70's it was an unusual sight in our small PA town and everyone could identify him from 2 blocks away. He even had a pair of his cowboy boots fitted with golf cleats! ^_^ The last symbol in the middle of the stone is supposed to be an ice cream cone (I think it needs a 2nd scoop to keep it from looking like a parachute).
He was the proud "Grandpa" of 9
and "Great-Grandpa" of 5.
Gravesite Details
Cremated; ashes given to family for later interment. Plot is secured in North East Cemetery and stone is set.
