James Mason

Obituary and Life Sketch

James Mason 1935-2026

James Glendale Mason was born September 10th, 1935, in Tangier, Nova Scotia to Myrtle Victoria Beaver and James Edgar Mason, both of Tangier, Nova Scotia. James’ father was a fisherman. His mother was a homemaker and had 16 children: Verna, Cyril, Cashman, Eric, Elsie, Florence, Keith, Fergie, Francis-Bunny, Bernice, Noreen, James, Patricia-Patsy, Gracie, Terry and Julianna. There were 44 grandchildren. His mother lived to be 102 years old.

James grew up in a small fishing village. At 4 years old, he learned to read in a one-room school. He loved to memorize and recite poetry. As a boy, he fished for lobsters and gathered cod tongues for his spending money. In the Anglican church, he faithfully served as an altar boy and bell ringer. At Truro Agriculture College, he sang in a quartet led by Betty Murray, Anne Murray’s Aunt. After college, James went to Toronto to work on power lines; he learned to climb and take down urban trees.

When in Ottawa, he went on a double date with his best friend, Johnny. The two young men took great interest in each other’s dates. Johnny fell in love with Maria and James with Barbara. James said Bobbie was the most beautiful girl he had ever met, and mother would say that Dad was the most handsome.

In the Fall of 1959, Barbara went to Moose River Crossings in Northern Ontario to teach school. While Barbara was teaching, James wrote many letters and came to visit her by train, and soon there were wedding plans. On December 18th, 1959, James and Barbara went by dog sled to Moose Factory Anglican Church, and were married by Canon Iserfoff, a Cree minister.

After the wedding, James took his bride to meet his family in Tangier, Nova Scotia; they then made their home on a small farm in Sunnybrae, Nova Scotia. Soon, Sally was born. They moved a few more times and along came Nan, Jamie, and Elsie. In 1969, the family moved to Wallace Highlands, where Charlie was born.

James found his dream farm in Wallace Highlands. He fenced many acres, built a large barn, raised sheep, cows, and a couple of horses. He continued to prune and take down urban trees. Many times, he was featured in the local newspapers as the man who climbed trees. As the children grew, they married and brought grandchildren home. James and Barbara dreamed of a large house, and together, they built their dream home with many windows. James was a Warden in the Wallace Anglican Church (St. Andrews) and in the Pugwash SDA church he helped lead Song Services and set up Potlucks.

As years passed, James enjoyed traveling with Barbara; they visited children and grandchildren. They traveled to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, to the Panama Cannel, to Israel, England, and Scotland. In May of 2024, they took a cruise to Alaska with family.

During this last year, James turned 90 and continued with tree work for a couple more months. In December, James and Barbara celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. In June, Barbara suddenly passed away. James missed her very much. He often sang In my Father’s House are Many Mansions. (Elvis/Hanks)

In early September, James fell and broke his right leg. He came through surgery but progressively lost his strength. On September 10th, he turned 91. He celebrated his birthday in the hospital with cake and visited with family. The next morning, he was unresponsive, his family was at his bedside. He peacefully passed later that day, September 11th, 2026.

James was known as a friend of many. He took great interest in people and loved to visit. He was well respected. A friend said, “Jamie was one of my heroes when I was a teenager. He was a very caring person and a true gentleman. His life was a blessing to all who knew him.” A grandchild said, “He had a very large heart and was very thoughtful. I will never forget that quality.”

James will be dearly missed by his sisters Noreen, Francis-Bunny, and Patsy, his children Sally Becker (Andreas), Nan Duerksen (Russell), James Mason (Patti), Elsie Mason, and Charles Mason (Amanda), as well as eighteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

James is resting in Coulter's Funeral Home, Tatamagouche. Funeral Services will be held from the Pugwash Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2197 Gulf Shore Rd., Pugwash, on Saturday, September 19 at 11:00 a.m. Luncheon to follow. For those unable to attend, the service will be made available online at:https://www.youtube.com/@pugwashsdachurch/featured

Graveside Service will follow at 3:00 p.m. in Monument Hill Cemetery, 713 Highland Rd., Wallace Grant, where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Barbara. All are welcome to attend.