BURLINGTON, MASS. - Alexander “Alex” James, 70, passed away peacefully, Sunday, September 23, 2012, in Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, surrounded by his family.
Born in New Glasgow, he was a son of the late Albert and Julia (Ermenc) James. Alex was raised in Thorburn with his 12 siblings and was a graduate of the former East Pictou Rural High School. He immigrated to the United States in February 1963, first living in Watertown, Mass. and then settling in Burlington, Mass in 1967. He took evening classes at Northeastern University to earn his Associates Degree and worked as a Master Plumber his entire career. Alex took great pride in his workmanship and was employed with J.J. Sullivan Plumbing and Heating, Somerville, Mass. for many years. While semi-retired, he was employed with Farina Corporation, Charlestown, Mass.
Alex’s world revolved around his home and family. He and his wife, Laura, shared a life of love and adventure: dancing, traveling and sharing cherished time with family and friends. Alex often proclaimed that “no one could cook as well as Laura”, his love for her was boundless. “There is no place like home”, Alex and Laura routinely returned to Thorburn to visit family and friends, to keep alive the relationships they cherished so much. He helped to organize a family trip to Slovenia, where they visited their mother’s birthplace and met many relatives. Alex was a proud and supportive father. He passed on his plumbing skill and expertise to his son, Jeffery, with whom he enjoyed a close working relationship while employed at James Irrigation, Plumbing and Heating, Woburn, Mass. Alex was a proud and adoring grandfather, who was happiest when spending time with his family, no matter what the occasion. He will be deeply missed by all that loved him.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Laura Mae (Sartoris); children, Vivian (Daniel) Olsten, Billerica, Mass; Jeffery (Donna) James, Woburn; Angela (Bryan) Anderson, Burlington; grandchildren, Shawn and Carly Olsten, Trevor, Cameron and Teresa James; Ainsley and Ella Anderson; sisters, Dorothy (Joey) Morrison, Minnie (Bob) Sartoris, Annie (Billy) Swallow, Thorburn; Mary Harned, St. John, N.B.; Rose MacEachern, Stellarton; Bertha (Jim) Simpson, Calgary, Alta.; brothers, Johnny (Colleen), Stellarton; Andrew (Marie), Thorburn; Larry (Millie), Stellarton; Herbie (Sherry), Thorburn; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by sisters, Julie Sartoris and Helen Stewart.
The family received visitors at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, Burlington on Wednesday and will receive visitors 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday in Union Presbyterian Church, Thorburn with Rev. Jeff Lackie officiating. Interment will be in MacLellan’s Mountain Cemetery.
Family flowers only. Donations may be made in Alex’s name to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
www.pkmacdonald.ca