Monday, September 1, 2025
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I want to share here some memories of my beloved brother, Jamie - through the eyes of his “baby”brother, seven years younger.
Jamie was the musical one in the family and could play a 12 string guitar as a young adult.
He was also an expert slalom water skier. I should know because he forced me to become his expert waterski boat driver. I think I got the raw end of that deal.
Jamie, the middle brother, was the ultimate joker. Occasionally, it would be so bad that I’d need to call in help from the enforcer, big brother Fred. I recall a grand scene of Fred, with a broken leg in a cast, chasing Jamie around our house and slapping him with his crutches. And Jamie was hard to catch as he was a crazy fast runner and medal winner on the high school track team.
Maybe age had thinned his hair but in his younger days he sported a thick mop of wavy long hair.
Growing up, there seemed to be a constant flow of Jamie sports cars. I’m sure this list is inaccurate but I think it included a Triumph Spitfire, an MG coupe, a TR7, maybe a Fiero, and a Datsun 240 or 260z. The motor cycle list was even longer and continued with his most recent addition, his beloved Royal Enfield.
Maybe there were so many cars and bikes because he was such a good deal maker. One such deal involved him heading down the Mira River in a somewhat rickety 12ft aluminum boat and returning with a very fresh high sided 14 footer for free. Now that was a sweet trade. Thank you Gerry family.
Jamie was adventurous. At a very young age he set out on his Triumph 500 motorcycle to cross the country. I think a mechanical breakdown deep into North Ontario left him sleeping in a gas station for a week while tearing his engine apart to repair it. He might have been just 18 or 19.
And somehow that adventure started crazy rumors that he’d run off to join the Hells Angels!
Jamie was also a certified outboard mechanic trained at the OMC factory in Peterborough Ontario. He could fix anything.
As an adult, our Jamie quickly proved his talent as an accountant in his banking days. As a bank auditor, his arrival struck fear into the staff of a bank branch when he’d step through the door. It meant the branch would be turned upside down late into the night as he’d verify all bank procedures were being followed.
He loved his cousins. In earlier years he spent a lot of time visiting the Sydney Mines and Halifax cousins. In fact, he and his cousin Bruce were the unofficial heavies in the family who might scold us if we weren’t spending enough time with family. So thanks to all of the cousins and friends who sustained and energized Jamie over the years.
Jamie loved Maine. Maybe it was thanks to his long 50 year relationship with the Gerry family from Maine who once owned the Spruce Point Park campground on the Mira. I’m told of many visits that in later years included Jamie’s son Jeffrey and I’m sure his son Morgan would have become part of those visits over time.
Speaking of Jamie’s sons. It would be a rare father that could ever be found to battle harder and bring more passion to rearing his boys than Jamie. He loved you both dearly and was so proud of you,Jeffrey and Morgan.
