Sydney
Kindness makes you the most beautiful person in the world. The world suddenly lost a true gentleman on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at age 67. Jim lived his whole life being kind towards others and funnily enough, he passed away because of an enlarged heart. He proudly displayed his accolades from organizations on the wall but rarely spoke of them.
Most people would remember Jim helping the seniors with their groceries or perhaps stocking shelves at Sobeys in Sydney River. He was well known, well respected and never missed a chance to say “how’s she going, buddy” or a reply with “good, dear, good”. All animals were his friends. His fridge was filled to the brim with the best of carrots and apples to feed his friend’s horses and donkey as he experienced the repercussions of the electric fence!
When he moved into his apartment, it presented the opportunity to meet all kinds of good-hearted Capers. Jim delighted in taking them out in his new SUV for their appointments, taking them to visit their families, treated them to a good meal, exchanged the newspaper, special attention was given to the ill tenants, or just a Sunday drive ending up with an ice cream cone.
Jim was the ninth child of ten children of Herbert (Bert) and Johanna (MacNeil) Shannon of Sydney River. He is survived by siblings, Greg (Cari), Palm Desert, USA, Joe, Long Point, CB, Steve (Judi), Ontario, Jayne Reid, New Glasgow, Frank (Hyewon), Toronto, David (Brenda), Black Point, Pictou County, John (Ingrid), Cole Harbour, Terry (Janine), Howie Centre, CB and sister-in-law, Mary Lou. Also left to mourn their Uncle Jim are many, wonderful nieces and nephews, cousins and one aunt.
Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by brother, Herb; sister-in-law, Ruthie and brother-in-law, John K. Reid.
A celebration of life for the late Jim Shannon will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St), Whitney Pier on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 2 p.m. A private interment will take place at a later date. Covid protocols will be practiced.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
If you wish to honour Jim’s memory, see the good in people, help them and be kinder today than you were yesterday.
Online Condolences
Terry/Janine & Family Sorry for your loss.
From: Lorna MacKinnon
Terry, Janine, John, Ingrid and Shannon family, so very sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. May the memories help you through the difficult days ahead, God bless.
From: Anne Sullivan
Jim was a good man and friend to all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family
From: Alfie MacLeod
So sorry for your loss.
From: Doug Mac Leod
Our deepest condolences to the Shannon on the passing of Jim, Cindy & I worked with Jim for years & he was a true gentleman, Jim was everything said in his obituary & than some, Jim would put a smile on every customer’s face he saw & the ones he didn’t see would go look for Jim, we were so lucky to have Jim in our lives & to call him our friend, may you rest in peace. Joe & Cindy
From: Joe & Cindy Fiander
To Jim’s family and friends, my sincere condolences on Jim’s passing. Yes, I do remember him from Sobeys and I remember all the help he gave us when we were getting ready for dog shows. Jim was such a kind person! From: Barb Morrison
John Ingie and all the Shannon family please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your brother. May he rest in peace.
From: Peggy Margetti
My sincere condolences to all the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. God Bless
From: Stella Walcott
Jim was a wonderful man. I remember as a child Jim putting groceries in my parents car. I remember his politeness and his laugh. I always said hello to Jim even though he did not know me. Rest in Peace!
From: Paul Carrigan
I remember Jim very well, I always thought of him as a gentle giant. May he rest in peace. To all his family , especially Terry, my condolences.
From: Daniel Small
My heart hurts knowing your gone. working with Jim for 30 years, I always knew he was there for me. Such a kind man. I will think of Jim often.
From: Betty lou grant
Terry, Janine & the Shannon Family, We are so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing ,We both worked at Sobeys Sydney River with Jim for many years and he was such a kind gentle person and couldn’t do enough for people , Our condolences to his family
From: Greg &Nancy MacDonald
I knew Jim while I was a kid. He lived right next door to us in Howie Center for at least 20 years, he was super nice, he always yelled hi to us when we would walk past his place, he always supported all the kids in the neighborhood when it came Christmas time and fun raising for school, he would clean the road in the winter so we could have road hockey. From about the time I was 10 up until the time it came when Jim moved I would always go over and shovel his driveway before he got hoke from work and when he came home he would always fix the mess I made in the driveway and just laugh before he tried to give us money which I’m proud to say we did not take, we were kids but even as kids we always knew we were just trying to pay him back for being a great guy, Jim is going to be so missed by so many people truly one of the greatest men I have ever known.
From: Bill Burns
My sincere condolences to all the family.
From: Stella Walcott
My deepest sympathy upon the loss of Jimmy for his Family and the community. I got to know him while living in Coxheath, and shopping at Sobeys, Sydney River. He truly was the essence of gentle kindness, an example to us all, and a good friend. My prayers are with you all. Thanks for his presence among us. Yvonne From: Yvonne (MacDougall) Donahue, Calgary, AB,, transplanted Cape Bretoner.
I am so saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. We have lost the kindest and of course most gentle man I have ever known!
From: Janet Farrell
My sincere condolences for the loss of such a wonderful brother. I was very fortunate to know and admire dear Jim over the years. God has received a true angel. May he Rest In Peace. God bless you all.
From: Sheila Sanson Phillipo
Family of Jim Shannon- My sincerest condolences in the passing of Jim.
Over the years when I would come home for a visit and went to Sobeys he
would always use his “infamous greeting” as he knew I was a “MacDougall”. Very friendly. He will be missed- RIP Jim.
From: Eileen MacDougall
Terry and family, I so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a great gentlemen and will be missed by family and all who have had the opportunity to have met him and I countered his kindness and generosity. He passing will leave a emptiness in the world.
From: Sandy & Linda Langer
John, Terry and the Shannon Family My condolence on the loss of your brother.
From: Joe DeLazzer
Dear Terry, Janine and family
Please accept our sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this hard time.
From: Archie and Lorna Gillis
Terry & Janine and the Shannon family, We were sorry to hear of your brother , Jim’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May god bless , sincerely Gordie and Mary
From: Gordie & Mary MacDougall
Dave Brenda and families. So sorry to hear Jim Passed away. Thinking of you at this time of sorry.
From: Harry and Katherine Mac Innis
To The Shannon Family, We are very sorry to hear of Jim passing. Our Vacations home we saw Jim at Sobeys and had great talks. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you. He was one of a kind he was a great guy.
From: Allan and Beth LaRocque
Deepest sympathy to all the family. Jim was a great guy and will be deeply missed. The Sives Family
From: Irene Sives
It is so hard to believe you are no longer with us Jim you were such a .large presence on the Sydney Boardwalk. Everyone knew you and loved you WHY NOT you were the poster child of all that was good , said and done.Mickey and I will miss you but we will know in our hearts you are still with us, we may not see you but we will feel your presence and we will smile a little wider knowing you are still with us on the Boardwalk. To your family we are so sorry for the loss of Jim,a great man so Jim may you forever R. I. P.. The Ludlow Family.
From: Marie Ludlow
Condolences to Terry, Janine and entire Shannon family. I had the pleasure of starting my work career with Jim at Sobeys in the mid-1970’s. Every time we crossed paths since, I was reminded of what a great mentor he was for all of us entering the workforce via Sobeys. Jim’s gift of caring and communication have evolved within the business world to be known as good “customer-service”, but for $0.75 cents/hour, that was just Jim!
From: Barry & Sheila MacGregor
To All of the Shannon Family.
Jim was a kind generous guy, always a friendly smile.
From: All of The Mahoney Family from Sydney, our condolences .
On behalf of Mahoney Family,
Wendell Mahoney
Jim was a kind spirited soul who was always quick to lend a hand and say a kind word to you. He will be missed by everyone who came in contact with him.
From: Robert Gunderson
Sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I have known him for over 40 years while working at Sobeys. We shared lots of laughs and I have good memories of him. He had a good sense of humor and a very nice way about him, as he was the nicest and kindest person I have ever known. He will certainly be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him, as he was truly a good honest and kind soul. We will miss your presence hear on earth Jim, nice to have had you as my friend.
From: Michael J. Phillipo
Dave Brenda and families. So sorry to hear Jim passed away so suddenly .Thinking of you in this time of sorrow.
Clifford and I will miss our many chats we were fortunate to have with Jim . Rest In Peace dear Jim .
Very sad, Jim exemplified what is needed most in the world these days and his kindness knew no bounds. Deepest condolences to family and friends
Sincere condolences to all of Jim’s family. I worked with Jim at Sobeys and there was no more more selfless than him. He was always willing to drive whoever needed one to wherever they needed to go. Rest In Peace “ Buddy”
Rose MacLeod
Jim”s family ,
I worked with Jim for over thirty years at sobeys he was indeed a true gentlemen and friend.This is a beautiful tribute to Jim’s life. When my mother was alive and living in Harborstone Jim would stop in to visit her once a week and bring her a tasty treat.We enjoyed many laughs over break time over the years .May he rest in peace .
Shirley Mac -Innis Bennett
Condolences to all the Shannon family our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim was a wonderful man, he will be missed by many. May he rest in peace. 🙏🙏🙏
Our deepest condolences on the passing of Jim to the Shannon Family, both Cindy & I had the good pleasure to work for years with Jim & very lucky to him him in our lives, I can honestly say Jim was everything said in his obituary & than some, Jim always would put a smile on every customer’s face that came into our Sobeys store & the ones he didn’t see went looking for Jim to say hello, Jim it was a true honor to have worked with you & to call you our friend. Rest in peace my friend.
Sincere Condolences to Terry, Janine,and The Shannon Family. Jim was such a Friendly Guy. May He Rest In Peace .
I was so shocked and saddened to learn of Jim’s sudden passing on January 13th. To all of his family, I extend my deepest sympathy. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Jim was a real gem … a one-of-a-kind gentleman, who always showed such kindness to me when I was spending my summers down in Sydney over the past 15 years. I spent most of my summer evenings over on the Boardwalk, and Jim was often there. He always had time for a chat, and delighted in handing out treats to any of the dogs who passed by. Loved to cook for his friends, too, and my husband Bill and I were so grateful for his hospitality. You sure would never leave Jim’s place hungry !!! He spoke to me often, and fondly, about his family, and about having grown up out in the Kings Road area. I’m proud to have counted Jim as a friend, and I sure will miss him. But our loss is Heaven’s gain, as I’m sure the Good Lord welcomed him with the words “Well done, good and faithful servant!”. Rest in Eternal Peace, Jim.
My sincere condolences to Jims family.I worked with Jim at Sobeys Sydney River and every day he’d ask me do you need a drive home or do you need me to pick you up tomorrow morning for work. God love him he always there for everyone making sure if you needed a drive he was there for you .He was a true gentleman and will be missed by many .My deepest sympathy Elaine House
Was so very sad seeing Jim’s OBIT. He was a friend from the “RIVER.” We grew up as neighbours. To the SHANNON FAMILY WE { David, Carolyn & Mark } extend our deepest sympathies. REST in PEACE to a REAL GENTLEMAN.
Deeply saddened to hear about Jim’s passing. What a shock. We got to know each other, working at Sobeys. There were lots of laughs, and he was so very kind to everyone, and so polite.Those days are forever etched in my memory, as I’m sure the rest of the staff feel the same.Thank you, Jim for your kindness, and love for others.You are one in a million! Condolences to the Shannon family.
I am so sorry for the loss of a gentle giant, Jim. However I am happy I knew Jim, for he was an example from God that we all should follow his life. To all the Shannon family, especially Terry and Janine, my condolences.
My condolences to Jim’s family and may God keep you in his arms. You were a treasure here on earth and I’m sure a shining gem in heaven!
My deepest condolences to the Shannon family.
I first met Jim at Riverside school as a classmate. I was awed by his height, which went with his tremendous kindness and sincerity. He was still the same great guy at Sobeys.
I bumped into him a few times over the years. He was still the same wonderful, honourable guy whom I met many years ago.
God bless him.
Very sorry to hear of Jim’ passing. He always took the time to say hello. On many occasions saw him helping seniors at Sobeys. Rest in peace Jim.
To all of Jim’s family and friends, I offer my sincerest sympathy. Such kind words people are saying about this nice man. He will be missed on the boardwalk next summer.
His legacy will live on with us doing acts of kindness.
I have know Jim for over 60 years. Over the years whenever he saw me, we spoke. He was genuinely interested in asking about my family and how I was doing. I will miss seeing him and his pleasant presence.
To the Shannon family I am very sorry for your loss. May Jim Rest In Peace. Hugs Harriet
To all of Jims family
My sincere condolences
I worked with Jim and can not tell you about all the times he was there for the customers and staff
He was truly a kind soul
It was a pleasure to have known him
May you Rest in Peace buddy
Jim was one of the sweetest men I’ve ever met. Always friendly and kind and always with a smile. My sincere condolences to the Shannon Family.
I first met Jim as a toddler in a Sobey’s grocery cart. He continued to be interested in me and my accomplishments for all of my 45 years. We would meet most recently at the Boardwalk music evenings. Cape Breton lost a great representative and an even greater personality. My thoughts and prayers are with us all because to Jim, we were all friends and family.
With the utmost of fondest remembrance and friendship,
Jennifer Spencer and her mother Marilyn
sorry to hear of Jim passing he will sure be missed love and God Bless
To: The Shannon Family
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Jim. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May he Rest In Peace.
Terry and family,
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I had the good fortune of knowing Jim for a lot of years. Through all of those years he was one of the most pleasant and kind people I have ever meet, big heart indeed.
My condolences,
Doug Campbell
To John &Ingrid my condolences to your family on the passing of your dearly beloved brother.
Terry, Janine and Shannon family, So very sorry for the loss of such a sweet and kind gentleman. I met Jim when I worked at Sobeys many years ago, and of course my many visits to Sobeys thereafter. Jim would always ask how I was and how’s the family. I will miss seeing him on the board walk. Thinking of you with deepest sympathy. Donna (Reid) & Nick Rutherford
Sorry for the loss of a special family member. I have fond memories of working with Jim at Sobeys. Reading the other messages it is apparent that his kindness touched everyone that he met. Gone but not forgotten.
Jane and Family
It was such a surprise to read of Jim’s sudden passing. He was indeed a very kind person. It didn’t take long to realize that, once you spoke to him a few times.
My condolences to you and your family.
I’ve just flashed back to Riverside School Terry. You, Jim and peanut butter & banana sandwiches and the mall at the time under construction. Vivid memories of your brother. Please accept our condolences for the loss of Jim to your family and to the community. We’ll ‘Pay it Forward’ in honor of Jim. Joe & Sandy.
Our sincere condolences to all the Shannon family. Jim’s obituary is a true account of Jim and his acts of charity and kindness to anyone he could help.
So sorry for your loss. I remember Jim well at Sobeys. He always insisted on putting my groceries in my car. Such a gentleman.
Terry, John, and Shannon family. I was saddened to hear of Jims’ passing. My condolences to you all , may he rest in peace. Brian
my sincere condolences to all of Jims family.
I always enjoyed my conversations with Jim over the years and especially his visits to the office in Port Hawkesbury. Always positive and obviously very kind to those who needed a helping hand. Condolences to all the Shannon family.
Terry, Janine & the Shannon Family…so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. The finest of gentlemen, always friendly & willing to help a customer or lend a hand…a great ambassador for Sobey’s, God bless him
Still miss Jim every time I enter the doors of Sobey’s. It felt like coming home when your parents would greet you, he was just that caring and genuine sort of guy. In fact, one of the last times I got to see Jim, he had been off work for a bit…..so I said, Hey Jim, I thought you moved to Hollywood to star in movies or something. He had a big laugh over that one. Sweetest guy, I’m so sorry for your loss family. He was one of THE BEST!!
Terry/Janine and Shannon family,
Very sorry to learn of Jim’s passing, I have many fond memories of growing up in the River, and he certainly stands out as one. His warm infectious personality was felt by all who knew him. My late Mother had a real soft spot for Jim, and loved greeting him at the Woolco Pharmacy, or receiving his special treatment at Sobeys.
Our deepest sympathies,
Ronnie and Linda Shaw
To the Shannon family my deepest sympathy on Jim’s passing. I always loved chatting with Jim on my trips home. Rest in peace.
Ralph MacDonald
As schoolmates and chance encounters over the years, always the kind and friendly Jim. Condolences to the family, Jim was one of the good ones and will be missed…
Jayne & the Shannon Family,
May the memories of your Brother Jim always remain in your hearts. With our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to you all during this difficult time.
To Jim’s Dear Family
I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing today.
Hearing his name today made me smile as I remembered our many chats at Sobey’s in Sydney River.
Always quick with a smile, words of wisdom and a helping hand to a busy mom of 4.
My thoughts and prayers to everyone in the family. He will be missed by MANY!!!
So sorry to read of Jim passing .Casey shed a few tears. He was such a genuine, kind ,thoughtful person .Our hearts & love are with the family
from Casey Brenda & Paul
A very kind and sincere person. We are very sorry for the loss of Jim.
We would like to thank everybody for your kind remarks to our brother Jim. We are not the only people who will miss him. Thanks again.