Kenneth “Nat” James
1922-2021
Kenneth
“Nat” James (99) was born on October 21, 1922 in Tufts Cove,
Nova Scotia. Three striped towers – familiar to all
residents of Halifax-Dartmouth – have since been erected on
the site to celebrate his birthplace. Nat was the fifth in Alan
MacKenzie and Clara (Crowe) James’s family of eight. He was
predeceased by all his brothers and sisters, Edith “Didi”,
MacK (Barbara, Vancouver), Ian (Marj, deceased), Ruth (Bob McCleave,
deceased), Hugh (Carolyn, deceased; Beth, Halifax), Judy (Terry
Adamson, deceased) and Sandy (Irene, Vancouver).
Nat was born into a
tempestuous era, growing up during the depression and World War II. He
joined the army with the aim of overseas service but ill health (not
to mention being too tall for the army’s summer uniform)
prevented him from going overseas. He even hitchhiked to Montreal in
the hopes of being called up. He transferred to the RCAF (1943),
achieved his navigator’s wing and was classed as a
reserve.
After the war, Nat
went to Dalhousie University for Commerce (1948) and Law (1950)
degrees. He met Rowena (Rowe) Carter from Oyster Pond, NS and was
attracted by her smile (Nat: “I don’t know what
attracted her to me!”). They married in 1949 and moved to
Kentville where Nat established an insurance firm, later acquiring a
branch in Yarmouth. He was President of VON (Valley Branch) and Ken-Wo
Golf and Country Club, as well as serving as Registrar of Probate in
Kings County until his retirement in 1988.
Rowe, who shared with
Nat a love for golf, boating, cats, birds, and their nieces and
nephews, died in 1994, entrusting six cats to Nat’s care. In
later years, Nat’s companionship with Shirley Maxwell
allowed the two to enjoy wining and dining throughout the
Valley.
Nat was always a
strong promoter of Annapolis Valley business – especially
vineyards, farms and restaurants, much to the benefit of his visitors.
The Kentville Rotary Club gave him a 60-year service award (2016) and
in 2021 he was made an honorary member with 66 years in the Rotary.
Many have noted that it’s impossible to go anywhere in the
Valley with Nat without his being recognized and
greeted.
Nat’s active
interest in genealogy means relatives have a well-researched history
of the James and Crowe families going back many generations in
NS.
Nat will be sorely
missed by his and Rowe’s relatives across Canada and the
USA, and by his many friends.
Nat wanted to thank
the staff of King’s Riverside Court for their care and kind
attention that made his stay there so pleasant. Nat also was very
grateful for Joanne Maxwell’s support. Cremation has taken
place and the funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday,
December 12, 2021 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. A video
webcast of the service will be available at that time. Nat’s
remains will later be buried with Rowe in St. Francis Harbour,
Guysborough County, as well as sprinkled in St. Margaret’s
Bay, with glasses raised by loving relatives. In lieu of flowers,
donations can be made to the Kings Shelter – SPCA. Funeral
arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and
Cremation Services, Kentville. In accordance with the Nova Scotia
Proof of Full Vaccination Policy, proof of full vaccination will be
required to attend the service. For online condolences, inquiries and
to view the webcast, please visit:
www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kenneth Nat James 19222021..
Death notice for the town of: Kentville, Province: Nova Scotia