Known as ‘the gardener of Prince George,’ James Haggerstone’s roots in the community run deep.
Haggerstone’s friends and family are hoping to continue his legacy after his passing in November — with memory books, a commemorative bench, and a CNC bursary in his name.
Zdenka Anderkova, Haggerstones colleague at Northern Health describes her big-hearted friend as a ‘true example of humanity,’
“We would like to do all possible to memorize him just the way he would do for every single one of us,” said Anderkova.
“He was special because he was always there to help out. He would drop everything he was doing to give someone a helping hand.”
He received a city volunteer award for a garden he looked after on 10th avenue and Vancouver street in 2012.
What started as an empty lot, turned into a sanctuary and a gathering place for the neighborhood.
“He wanted to show the nicer aspect of life. He was living a life with purpose, and making everyone around him happy,” she said.
The garden is home to flowers of all colours and even a veggie garden — grown with help from those living nearby.
He championed the community garden and created other smaller gardens in abandoned lots, places he knew would bring joy to the neighborhood.
“He cared deeply for people and his ability to connect with them made him truly special. Always ready with a practical joke or a smile to lighten the moment, in everything he did, James embraced advocacy, honesty, empathy, personal-humility, and the promotion of others,” reads his obituary.
Haggerstone, Regional Manager of Health Informatics at Northern Health, was also behind a map used by the health authority that has every First Nations community included.
Anderkova says he was passionate about helping people understand the healthcare system, and worked tirelessly to provide accessible and user-friendly data.
In addition to his green thumb, Haggerstone was involved with the Spirits of Burns Lake project, which provided free sports and other activities for girls in the Burns Lake Area.
Masarova and her colleagues have raised $5,000 towards memory books for Haggerstone’s twin brother John, and his adopted niece, Jordin, also from Burns Lake.
The proposed bench would be placed in a city park, or close to the PG Hospice House.
His many bags of wild-flower seeds will be planted to continue his tradition of overtaking city planters with rogue flowers.
Depending on funds, they would also like to create a CNC bursary in his name that would serve an Indigenous student.
“In my last conversation with him, he mentioned to pass a message on for him,” said Anderkova.
“He wanted everyone to know he did his best, and he didn’t want to hurt anyone.”