James 'Jim' Stockley
North Ingonish With great sadness, we announce the passing of one of Cape Breton’s best-known characters, a most welcoming soul who was never happier than when serving up tea and outrageous stories to family and friends from far and wide. James W Stockley (Jim), of North Ingonish, lost his battle with cancer on Thursday, June 26, 2008, at the Buchanan Memorial Hospital in Neil’s Harbour. In his last days he was surrounded by his loving family, wife, Betty Stockley (nee Cake); daughters and son and many of the people whose lives he touched with love and humour beyond measure, Barbara, Patsy (Ernie), Marilyn (Dave), Elizabeth (Dave), John, Joan (Michel), Carolyn (John), Marie Alayne, Sharon (Mike), Mary, Linette, and Graham. Jim was predeceased by his son, James Russell Stockley, parents, Alfred and Louise, and sisters, Percila (Pat), Katherine (Kaye), Frances and Nora. Jim is survived by brothers and sisters, Rose, Russel, Murray, Hannah, Clarence, Roy, Mary and Ann. Jim felt that his home in Ingonish was one of the most heavenly places on earth. There, he happily greeted people from all over the province and the country, whose calls and letters during his illness heartily testify that Jim was a larger than life character, who will never be forgotten as visits to Cape Breton just wouldn’t have been the same without having met the “Mayor of Bear Cove,” as he often mischievously referred to himself. Words that come to mind when remembering Jim are loving, hilarious, generous and free-spirited, a wonderful father and grandfather, mischievous and irreverent. He felt laws were mostly meant to be broken, a characteristic which gave him quite a notable reputation with the park wardens, fisheries officers and generally anyone who tried to confine his space or restrict his freedom. Jim and Betty were blessed with grandchildren, Jamie (Lynda), Adam (Kaylan), Lance, Jean-Phillippe, Hannah, Padraic, Brennan, Brittany, Tara (Chris) and Mathew and, more recently, they were blessed with their first great-grandchild, Rylan, the latest and greatest joy of their lives. According to Jim’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in St. Peter’s Church in South Bay, Sunday, June 29 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Elliot Siteman officiating. A reception will follow in the Anglican Church hall in North Ingonish. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of J.M. Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. The family wishes to send special thanks to the nurses and staff at the Buchanan Memorial Hospital whose gentle love and care will forever be appreciated. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Neil’s Harbour Palliative Care. Online condolences may be sent to the family at jmjobesfuneralhome@ns.aliantzinc.ca
