James Bernard Francis

It is with profound sadness that we, the family, announce the passing of James Bernard Francis, age 73, on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, at the Northside General Hospital with his loving wife and children by his side.

Born on July 25th, 1950, in the back woods of East Bay and delivered by his grandmother, he was presented to his father in a shoe box for his birthday. Jim was the seventh of twelve children to the late Lloyd and Olive (Conway) Francis.

Jim built his business as a well-known and respected accountant. He took great pride in his business, and it showed in his care and dedication to his many clients/friends. Jim was a hard worker from a very young age starting with multiple paper routes that he truly enjoyed. Although accounting was not his first choice, he had a love of all music and he had once wanted to be a DJ. He had an interest also to be a meteorologist until a nun at school grabbed him by the ear and insisted, he would be a great accountant.

Over the years, Jim was involved in many organizations and enjoyed working alongside his good friend Ray Bragg at the Cape Breton Exhibition Grounds as the finance manager for many years.

Work wasn’t the only passion Jim had, he had a very strong faith and was a devoted parish member of Trinity Anglican Church. Jim was a lover of sports; he was on multiple bowling leagues for many years and his “Francis Dean Blues” ball team as well. And of course, he loved his Toronto Maple Leafs

Coming from a large family, he loved cooking, which he learned by watching his loving mother. The highlight of the summers was spending time on the Bras d’Or Lakes with his Big Bras d’Or crew who he cherished.

Although Jim loved all these things, what we will remember most is how he always went above and beyond for his family. To head out for a drive with Jim was an adventure in itself never knowing where it would take us whether it was Prince Edward Island with not so much as a toothbrush on board and yes even Ecum Secum. His favorite reply when asked where he was going when leaving the house was; “ Eskasoni, ya coming”? During the last year, Jim loved going to the beaches collecting seaglass with Thelma and his Kimmypoo.  After a day sitting at  the desk, he would announce that the seaglass wasn’t gonna pick itself up and off we’d go.

Jim looked forward to Friday visits from his sister-in-law Donna sharing a cup of tea, her many treats she brought along and to comparing their PC optimum weekly deals with politics thrown in on the side.

To all the Grandchildren, “Papa Francis” loved beyond words and had a special bond to each of them which they will carry with them always.  Although miles separated him from his oldest grandsons, his love for them didn’t.

He faced many challenges over the last 20 years with his total of three open heart surgeries for his defected aortic valve from birth but he was determined to never let that slow him down which earned him the title of Thelma’s Energizer Bunny.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 36 years Thelma (Dean) Francis and his children Lori (John), Jim Jr, Felicia (Dave), Matthew, and Adam, grandchildren Anthony, Christian, Charlie, Catriona and Avery, and three great grandchildren. Also left to mourn are his brothers Michael (Nancy) and Tommy, and sisters Olive Harrietha (Wilfred), Betty Laffin (Hughie), and Josie, brother-in-law James Dean (Audrey), sisters-in-law Linda Johnston (Peter) and Donna Krasowski (David) and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by his brothers Gregory, Lovell and Gussy, and sisters Ann, Marie and Patricia, father and mother-in-law Clarence and Elsie Dean, and brother-in-law Frank Dean (Betty).

Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all who have reached out to our family during this difficult time. We would like to especially thank Jim’s very good friends Stewart Squires and Brian and Brenda Marsh, and to Thelma and Jim’s niece Kimberley Crawley (A.K.A. Kimmy-Poo) for all the love and support they have shown us during this difficult time.

Funeral mass will be held Thursday, May 23rd, 2024, at 4:00pm at Trinity Anglican Church, Queen Street, Sydney Mines. Reception to follow at the church hall afterwards, a light lunch will be served. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to J.M. Jobes Funeral Home.

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