James ‘Jim’ Alexander MacChesney
1943-2021
James Alexander
MacChesney
Born January 8, 1943 – Died March
12, 2021
A musician at heart, nature lover, outdoorsman and retired
boilermaker (Local 73), James “Jim” Alexander
MacChesney’s love of life didn’t come to an end
with his death. Born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, 78 years
ago, sharing his birthday with his mother, Jim peacefully passed away
on Friday, March 12, 2021, at his home in Havendale after a brief and
courageous battle with lung cancer. He was surrounded by his
family who will continue to honour his legacy by living life to its
fullest.
Jim grew up in Port Shoreham near the coast of Chedabucto Bay
which provided him with a strong love of Nova Scotia and being close
to the sea. A story he always loved to tell was when he and
his sister were young a large flock of waterbirds (dovekies) became
stranded after a hurricane on a hill close to their coastal
home. Being waterbirds, they could not take off from
land. His younger sister Eleanor and him picked up each
dovekie that they could, took them to the beach, threw the birds up in
the air and watched them fly out to the ocean. There were so
many birds to save and only the two of them but this event sparked a
lifelong interest in nature and birdwatching.
The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Jim
– he had an uncanny ability to find happiness in his daily
activities which included reading his favorite books and magazines and
finding new ways to organize them all. He also enjoyed going
on drives to his favorite places with his much-cherished wife Irene in
his home province, exploring Cape Breton and hiking trails, finding
beauty in local scenery and wildlife. Jim has seen most of
Canada from the Atlantic coast in Newfoundland to the Pacific coast of
British Columbia.
In recent years, Jim was a tried, tested and proven Ford car
lover. When he was younger having the fastest car,
snowmobile or motorcycle gave him the greatest joy. Age did
not dim his interest in everything that had a motor. That
curiosity and admiration for motorized vehicles will live on in his
son and grandsons. Jim earned and displayed many prize
trophies from snowmobile races of yesteryear which took place on
frozen lakes around Boylston, sadly frozen lake snowmobiling is a
thing of the past.
Other hobbies of Jim’s were gun collecting and
tinkering and hunting. Neighbourhood buddies would come to
Jim’s house because of his special touch for sighting and
reloading their guns. Many hunters owed their good hunting
seasons to Jim’s perfectionist care of their guns.
Many moons ago when living in Manchester, target practice was a
weekend family event to see who could get closest to the
bull’s-eye – which, of course, was always
“Dad”.
Fishing season was always a source of great excitement and a
favorite activity. Always getting the biggest fish, having
the latest flies, gadgets and equipment, Jim found many interesting
ways of keeping the blackflies and mosquitoes away without using
insect repellent.
Being a lover of country music, Jim often strummed and picked
on his guitar. He took particular interest in making sure
his Yamaha was always in tune and enjoyed kitchen parties with his
daughters and granddaughters.
Jim’s pleasant personality was contagious to
everyone he met and he took much pride in each of his
children’s and grandchildren’s
accomplishments. Christmas was always a special family time
for Jim. He always made decorating the Christmas tree the
center of the season and it was always decorated perfectly.
He was excited as a child would be for Christmas morning to arrive,
making a special breakfast and opening presents. The best
pancakes were always made by “Dad”.
Jim was predeceased by his mother and father, Hilda Brown
(Taylor) and Courtney MacChesney. He is survived by his
wife, Irene (Dort); his daughters, Sheila (Paul) Uffindell, Halifax;
Dolena (Jay) MacPherson, Salt Springs; and his son, James (Kimberley)
MacChesney, Timmins, Ontario; step-sons, Jeffrey (Krista) Luddington
and Norman Luddington. He will be missed by his
grandchildren, Kyle (Katie), Korey, Hollie, Jenna (Spencer), Ethan,
Devon, Chloe, Kasara and Sophia; and his great-grandchildren, Gianna,
Maelle, and Evy. Jim will also be deeply missed by his
sister, Eleanor (Dryden) Fairbairn and niece, Allison (Sean) Sinclair,
and grandniece and grandnephew, Sarah and Malcolm, all of Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan and his close friends and brothers-in-law, Hartley
(Elaine) and Frank (Dianne) Dort.
There will not be a public memorial service but rather a
private family celebration of life at a later date. In lieu
of flowers donations can be made to the Guysborough Hospital
Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your
choice.
Arrangements are under the care of Dennis Haverstock Funeral
Home, Guysborough. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at:
www.haverstocks.com
Sleep soundly Dad (Papa) –
you will be missed.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of James ‘Jim’ Alexander MacChesney 19432021..
Dennis Haverstocks funeral homes
Death notice for the town of: Guysborough, Province: Nova Scotia