Obituary
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the family of James Alan Beckett announce his peaceful passing at the Health Sciences Center on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at the age of 80 years, after a courageous battle with cancer. Leaving to mourn with a lifetime of loving memories are his devoted wife and best friend of 57 years, Sheilah (Moss), son David, daughter-in-law Tina Petten and his cherished granddaughter Kayleigh Beckett, brothers Clarence (Thelma) and Tom (Patti) of Halifax, NS, as well as many special nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends and neighbours in St. John’s, NL, Princeton, NL and Moncton, NB. He is predeceased by his parents Clarence and Margaret Beckett (Higgins), brother William, sister Margaret Marks, sister-in-law Margaret (Crocker) Beckett and parents-in-law Capt. William and Susan Moss (Wilkins).
Jim was born in Halifax, NS on December 25, 1940. In the spring of 1963, he was transferred to St. John’s, NL as Assistant Manager of the F.W. Woolworth Company. By Christmas of that year, he was offered a transfer to PEI, but declined, as at that point he had fallen in love with Newfoundland and with Sheilah, whom he wed on July 11, 1964. Over the course of the next few years, Jim held several retail management jobs with Bowering’s and Ayre & Sons. In 1968, Jim and Sheilah made a cross country move to Vancouver, BC, where he worked in the field of property management and she taught at the Jericho Hill School for the Deaf. On March 19, 1969, Sheilah’s father, Capt. William Moss passed away suddenly while in command of the vessel North Star VI “out at the ice” during the Newfoundland Seal Fishery. The two eventually returned home to their beloved Newfoundland in 1969 to care for Sheilah’s mother Susan, with Sheilah teaching at the School for the Deaf and Jim working with Revenue Canada, where he was employed until his retirement in 1995. Jim was blessed to enjoy 26 years of retirement without medical issues and for that, we his family are truly grateful.
Jim was a devoted and loving husband and an amazing and loving father to David. He never missed an opportunity to spend quality time with him, whether it be attending early morning hockey games and practices, Cub Scout outings, tossing a baseball in the back garden, going on fishing trips or traveling on weekends to the old house in Princeton, NL. During later years, he enjoyed many road trip adventures with David that took them across Canada and through many parts of the United States. In 2010, Jim became a grandfather to his precious Kayleigh, who was the absolute light of his life and he relished every opportunity he could get to spend time with her. He taught her how to ride a bicycle, played hockey and basketball with her, attended her hockey games, soccer games and swim lessons and never once missed a piano or dance recital. His love was unconditional and we were truly blessed to have him.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to family physician Dr. Mercedes Penton for her years of compassionate care as well as to Dr. David Jones, Dr. Joanne Hickey and the team from the Hematology Ambulatory Treatment Unit at HSC who saw us through the past number of months. We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to Ann Marie Dobbin for the countless home visits for blood collection as well as to the nursing staff from Community Health who visited frequently. To the Paramedics who took care of Jim on his final night home as well as to the staff of HSC Emergency for making Jim comfortable during his final hours, thank you so much for your gentle and compassionate care. We have also been truly blessed with the most amazing family, friends and neighbours who have kept us in their thoughts and prayers for months. A special thank you to Kate Williams and Pierre Ryan for always leaving the light on. Also, special thanks to Sean McNeil and Heather Peters, Sheila Power, June and George Osmond, Barb Butt, Tom and Louisa Johnston, Maxine and Derick Bursey, Effie Petten and George Boland and the Abbott family for their kindness. There are simply no words.
Resting at Barrett’s Funeral Home, 328 Hamilton Avenue, St. John’s on Friday November 19th from 2-4pm, 7-9pm. Funeral Service to take place on Saturday, November 20th, 2021 at 2:00pm at St. James United Church, St. John’s. Cremation to follow. Please note to attend the service registration is required by calling 700-6064. Vax passes and proof of ID will be required to attend the service in person. This service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person and a link will be provided on the main page of Barrett’s website. A private family internment will take place.
Flowers are gratefully accepted. Donations in Jim’s memory may also be made to St. James United Church, St. John’s, NL or a charity of one’s choice. Please visit www.barretts.ca to sign the memorial guestbook.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James Alan Beckett 2021..
Death notice for the town of: St-John’s, Province: T-N