James’ Obituary
James Kenneth Mahaney, aged 68, passed away peacefully on 12 March 2020 at Yarmouth Hospital, with his good friend Georg holding his hand. Born on November 9, 1951, in Sandy Point, he was the eldest of the late Harvey Douglas and the late Thelma Alena (Deinstadt) Mahaney. Jimmie had a good and full life. He always counted himself very fortunate to have grown up in Shelburne, and treasured memories from his youth, running and playing in the woods at the back of town. He was always proud of his hometown and never missed an opportunity to brag about it throughout his life. He played sports and excelled at most of them, but basketball was always his best and his favourite, with a wall of trophies to prove it. He received a BA from Acadia University and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario, forging lifelong friendships along the way. Jimmie spent 30 years in the Canadian Air Force, with many postings across Canada and Europe, proudly achieving the rank of Colonel before retiring back to Shelburne in 2000. He met, courted and married his wife Suzanne during one of his postings to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, often teasing her that she was the best souvenir he ever got from a posting. He and Suzanne got the travel bug during their three-year posting in Germany and, as a result, travelled extensively around Europe and northern Africa, covering 18 countries in total. Back on Canadian soil, they took every opportunity to explore the country as it was Jimmie’s goal to visit every province and territory in Canada, a goal he nearly accomplished except for one territory. As is the case with all the Mahaney men, Jimmie was handy with a hammer and, throughout his life, he was always busy renovating homes or building something. Upon his retirement, and wanting to give back to his much-loved community, Jimmie became a founding member and director of the Loyalist Landing 2008 Society and the Shelburne Longboat Society. Helping to build the Shelburne longboats and working alongside local legends Bill Cox, Curtis Mahaney and Milford Buchanan were some of his most cherished memories. He was kind and patient, and his glass was always half-full, seeing the best side of everyone and every situation, with a clever and mischievous sense of humour. Jimmie leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Suzanne; brothers Marven (Kathy), Marathon, ON, and Jeffrey (Rhonda), Shelburne; his nieces Brandi and Hayley, his nephews Tyler and Adam, and their families; Suzanne’s family in Ontario; and many dear and faithful friends in Shelburne and across Canada. Cremation has taken place under the care of H.M. Huskilson’s Funeral Home. There will be no visitation or service.
Jimmie was a gentleman and a gentle man. We will miss him.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Kenneth Mahaney November 09 1951 March 12 2020..
H.M.Huskilson funeral homes and crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Shelburne, Province: Nova Scotia
So very sorry to hear that Jimmie has passed. He has been a special friend since Junior High. He had such a good heart. I will think of him often. He will be missed and was loved by many.
I am very saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. We were close friends throughout school in Shelburne and roommates in our freshman year at Acadia. As roommates we were the odd couple. Jim was the neat one of us. He once put a streak of peanut butter down the middle of our dorm room to separate the two halves of the room. We went our separate ways after Acadia and the last time I saw him was at my Mom’s funeral. I will always remember him as a decent, thoughtful man who contributed a great deal to his Town and his country.