Obituary of William Henry James

At the Saint John Regional Hospital on Thursday evening, March 27th, Bill passed away after a battle with cancer. Bill was born March 15, 1935 in Saint John, the eldest child of the late Samuel and Eleanor (Jennings) James. He was predeceased by his wife, Shirley (Tulk) in January 2002. He was inducted into the Saint John Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 and then again in 1997 with the 1963 St. Peter’s Saints Baseball Team. Bill was also inducted into the New Brunswick Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. He also joined the Wall of Fame with the Minto Miners for baseball. In 1969, he was a member of the Canada Summer Games provincial baseball team. Bill played goal for many hockey teams throughout his life. These included the Sussex Junior Rangers, Saint John Beavers, Saint John Irving Oilers, Saint John Mooseheads, Simonds Brais and the St. Stephen Aces. He spent many summers coaching baseball and teaching the game he loved to his son, his grandsons along with many youth from the area. Bill also spent many winters coaching hockey. At 57, he retired after 39 1/2 years from N.B. Power having worked at Courtney Bay and Coleson Cove. He is survived by his son Billy of Westfield; his daughter Debby Higgins (Bill) of Grand Bay; grandson Andrew Higgins (Jill) and great-granddaughter Gwendolyn of Calgary, AB; his grandson Brad Higgins (Shanna) and great-granddaughter Reese of Saint John; his granddaughter Amy Higgins of Dalhousie University in Halifax; his brothers George (Irene) and Wayne (Ann) of Saint John; Sisters-in-law Barb Flemming and Caroline James of Saint John and very special friend Elaine Geary of Saint John. Bill is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Doug and sister Mary Miller. Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Bay View Funeral Home, 1461 Manawagonish Road, Saint John (634-7425). There will be no funeral service. However, the family will receive friends from 2 – 8 on Monday, March 31st. Graveside Committal Service will be held in Greenwood Cemetery on Tuesday, April 1st at 11:00 am. A reception to honour Bill’s memory will take place at Brenan’s Bay View Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 1st at 12:00 noon. Because of Dad’s love of animals, for those who wish, remembrances in memory of Bill may be made to the S.P.C.A., 295 Bayside Drive, Saint John, E2J 1B1 or Ca-R-Ma (Cat Rescue Maritimes’ Saint John Chapter) P.O. Box 22027, Saint John, E2K 4T7, would be appreciated by the family. The family would like to thank the staff in Palliative Care and Dad’s friends, who visited often, for their kindness and compassion. Please place online condolences and remembrances at www.BrenansFH.com