01/09/2026
Alfred James Lines
The Family invites you to watch the service to honour Alfred’s Life. Please scroll below the obituary for the link.
Alfred James LinesDecember 31, 1926 - December 29, 2025
Dad was born in New Dehli, India on December 31, 1926. At the time, his father was working as Director of Civil Engineering on behalf of His Majesty King George V building the railways in India.
Dad attended Tormore Prep School. From there, he was enrolled into Cranleigh on a scholarship about 3 years ahead of other boys his age. He was 13. Cranleigh was a very strict school that taught discipline above all else. Dad chronicled his time there in his book ‘Duty’.
Following that, Dad enrolled at Cambridge to obtain his engineering degree – his love was diesel engines. He obtained a first, with a College Prize and senior scholarship. In his last year at Cambridge, he became a Christian. He was part of the Kings College Choir and was part of the rowing team there. Their team lost in the quarter finals competing to go to the Olympics. After 3 years apprenticeship in Iraq, he obtained his G1 Mechanical Engineer and G1 Electrical Engineer.
While dad was in Iraq, he felt as if God was calling him to go into medicine. A few months later, that feeling become more persistent, and one day, while praying, he could almost hear the command “Heal the sick.”
Dad chose to return to school to obtain his medical degree. Competition to get into Bart’s was fierce. In his first year – 1100 applicants for 80 placements. By the second year, 37 of those applicants passed. Dad achieved 2 of the 5 prizes awarded that year. The next year, only 12 passed. Dad finished with a MB (Bachelor of Medicine),BS (Bachelor of Surgery), M.R.C.S (Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons), and L.R.C.P (Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians). Seven years later, he completed his education with his F.R.C.S. (Fellowship of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons).
Dad met his future wife, Ann, when he was working as an intern on the surgical ward where Ann was working as the Nurse on Charge.
Mum and Dad married in May of 1963. Their first-born son, Mark James, was born in London the following year. Dad took a job in Dubai to help pay off his costs from schooling. He was the personal doctor for ruler of Dubai – Sheikh Rashid bin Aaeed Al Maktoum. It was quite a time. Their second born, Joanne, was born there and was given the middle name of the ruler’s wife Lateefa.
Dad and Mum moved back to England in 1966. In 1968 their daughter Rachel was born. Dad was at this time working very hard to support his family. He was frustrated with the pay he was receiving in London, and the commuting he had to do from Shoreham by Sea to London, where they lived. In 1969, Dad received a telephone call from the Mayor of Rivers offering him a job. They needed a full-time doctor/surgeon for their hospital. Dad accepted the offer, and the family of 5 arrived in Canada six weeks later. The family then grew over the years, welcoming Catherine, Amy, Jolyon, and Jonathon.
Dad worked in Rivers for 25 years. He was on call 24 hours a day, and very seldomly took holidays. He took pride in trying to mentor and teach future medical students and nurses. He delivered many babies, and did a lot of house calls! He expected a lot from people, but also gave a lot. He truly loved what he did. Rivers was a big change from England, but he embraced it. Somehow the cold certainly didn’t bother him. He was often seen shoveling snow in front of our house with just shorts and a t-shirt on in the dead of winter, or jogging down the street in the country when it was freezing cold out wearing just shorts, mitts, and ear muffs. He truly was one of a kind.
Dad was part of the choir at St. James Anglican Church for many years. He taught us about faith and trusting in God to steer us in the right direction. He thoroughly enjoyed being part of the church community, and they welcomed us as a family immediately.
Dad spent his final years practicing medicine in Prince Rupert, and then Lynn Lake. He finally retired at the age of 82. He bought a condo in Barbados and loved being by the sea that was right across the road from him. The sea has always been Dad’s love. When he was in England he built kayaks that he and Mark would use. He had even built a full-size catamaran before he moved to Canada. Dad continued to build and tinker with building model boats. It truly was something he loved to do.
Dad’s health began to decline about 12 years ago. He came back to Canada for a visit from Barbados, and never went back to live there again; he did visit though. Dad lived with Catherine from that point on. He spent his days working on his boats, or reading his Bible, or any book related to ships and the sea. His mind was sharp right until his last days. The things that he could recite from memory were nothing short of remarkable.
Dad was predeceased by his parents Alfred James Lines and Gwendolyne Lines; his sister Mary Wilkins; brother in law Derek Wilkins; and his sister-in-law Gillian Hyndman.
He leaves behind his children Mark (Louise), Joanne (Tony), Rachel (Bill), Catherine, Amy , Jolyon, Jonathon; the mother of his children, Ann; along with sixteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Dad would always say that when he closed his eyes at night, he would always thank the Lord for his remarkable family. He softened over the years, and truly cherished family time (and his beloved cat). He was always grateful. So were we. Rest easy Dad – you’ve earned it. Until we meet again…
Donations in Dad's memory may be made to the St. James Anglican Church or a charity of your choice.
https://vimeo.com/event/5625562/a62863eda4?fl=so&fe=fs
View Alfred James Lines's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
