JAMES STONIER
Passed in: GLACE BAY
Passed on: August 13th, 2016
With great sadness, we announce the passing of James Stonier of Glace Bay, at the age of 85, on August 13, 2016. The son of the late George and Elsie (Ryan) Stonier, James was born in Glace Bay in 1931.
James worked as a driver and baker at the popular Johnnie's Bakery in New Aberdeen before he became a Cape Breton coal miner, spending 35 years underground. His coal-mining days saw him at No. 26, No. 12, and later at 1B, the last few years as a mining electrician after attending night-school and writing his electrician’s papers. It was in 1968 that James and his family were the central figures in a film by Canada's National Film Board called ‘Last of the Breed’ about the life of a typical coal miner, living and raising a family in Glace Bay. He was a long-time resident of Sixth Street, New Aberdeen, the original home of his family since the 1920s. When his children had grown, he and Veronica built onto his daughter, Karen's house on Shea's Lane from where, from his kitchen window, he could see No 26, the Newfoundland Ferry, and Cape Smokey, near Ingonish where he and the family had spent many summers during Miners' Vacation. He belonged to the Parish Men's Club at St. John's Church, the parish where he was a faithful member until it was closed in November 2012. He also enjoyed membership in the Glace Bay Senior Citizens' Club on North St. In earlier years, he looked forward to being outdoors to hunt and fish, as well, he enjoyed being active in softball, bowling and darts, all of which he played competitively in colliery and other leagues. After retirement, he turned his hand to woodworking, producing many fine-quality pieces for his family. He was an excellent provider and a first-class husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, jobs which he enjoyed more every day.
He leaves to mourn and be thankful for his life, his wife of 66 years, Veronica (Neary); children, Ron (Jan), Coldbrook, Karen (Harry) Gouthro, Glace Bay, George (Gladys), Lunenburg, Gail (Brian) Robertson, Waterloo, ON, Eugene (MaryLou), Victoria, BC, Craig (James) Stoneburrowes, Toronto and Ryan (Mary), Toronto. He is also survived by a sister, Sybil (Earl) VanDyke, Lodi, California and by fourteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Both his parents are deceased as well as sisters, Olive Thibeault and Betty Boutilier and a brother George. It was his request that there be no visitation and cremation has taken place. A funeral mass to celebrate James’ life will be held on, Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the Parish of Holy Cross, Glace Bay with Fr. Norman MacPhee officiating. Reception to follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Glace Bay Food Bank, Glace Bay Hospital Palliative Care, or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements for James are under the direction of McLellan Brothers Funeral Home, 3183 Plummer Ave., New Waterford, 862-7500. To send online condolences to the family go to, www.mclellanfuneralhome.com.
