Obituary of James Henry Dever

Devoted husband, father and grandfather, Jim Dever passed away peacefully while surrounded by family, Thursday March 10th at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Parish priest Father Doug McNeill was present and lead the family in prayer. Jim grew up alongside the St. John River in Morrisdale where he returned each summer with his family to enjoy boating, paddling his sky-blue canoe on the Long Reach, and hosting large family gatherings on his cottage deck. After serving as a Staff Sergeant during WW2, Jim married Mary McGillicuddy of Canterbury and together raised a family of five children in Saint John. Jim was a member of St. Pius X Parish and for years, had sung in the music ministry. He was a Past Grand Knight, a past District Deputy of the Knights of Columbus, and he participated in the Irish Canadian Cultural Association. Jim retired from J.D. Irving in 1985 and previously had a long career with DOSCO. Jim leaves his wife Mary after 54 years of marriage; children: Michael (Brenda) of Rothesay, John (Eleanor Austin) of Morrisdale, Bill (Betty) of Rothesay, Catherine (John MacKenzie) of Saint John and Paul (Janice) of Charlottetown; 11 grandchildren: Sarah, Theresa, Patricia, Christopher, Michael, Jennifer, Christine, Alex, Gregory, Grant and Conor; many nieces, nephews and cousins in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Ontario and New Brunswick. We will all miss his love, his generous nature and his reassuring smile. Jim is predeceased by his sister Mary Forti of Massachusetts; his parents Sarah (Brown) and John. Resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, the family invites visiting Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Members of the Knights of Columbus Council #937 will assemble for prayers at the funeral home on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 14, 2005 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, Somerset Street with a reception to follow. Internment will be held in St. Augustine's Cemetery, Westfield, in the spring. For those who wish, the family appreciates memorial donations offered to to a charity of the donor's choice. Members of Knights of Columbus Council #937 will asseble for prayers at the fineral home on Sunday at 7:00 p.m.