Harry James, renowned on P.E.I. for his Christmas lights displays, has died
His obituary refers to him as a “true Santa Claus.”
Harry James, an Islander identified for his Christmas shows and his group involvement died earlier this week of a coronary heart assault. He was 81.
James, who repaired home equipment by commerce, invested a whole lot of his time supporting his group and was a staple at many hockey video games.
“He was a reasonably giving man who loved life, loved individuals, and spent a whole lot of time attempting to maintain everyone glad,” stated Mike James, one in all Harry’s 4 kids.
For 3 a long time, Harry James arrange his iconic Christmas decorations, first in Charlottetown after which in Stratford, the place he moved in 2008.
He would host a barbecue annually on the night time the lights had been flicked on. Initially it was only for neighbours and youngsters on native hockey groups.
However phrase unfold and the shows grew larger and brighter. Increasingly individuals began exhibiting up.
“[The Christmas lights display] was a method for individuals to come back to go to him. He met them within the yard and that was a particular second for him yearly,” Mike stated.
Now, a few of James’s neighbours and associates throughout the Island are placing up their Christmas shows early to honour his reminiscence.
Through the years, as James travelled to individuals’s properties, he not solely repaired their home equipment however constructed friendships, too, stated his son.
“He was most likely in additional than half the properties in P.E.I. anyway along with his work,” Mike stated.
“That a part of his life was being there and never solely repairing one thing, however having a chance to speak to folks that day. That was part of dad, an enormous a part of dad.”
Pillar of the hockey group
Nearly everybody on the Island crossed paths with Harry James in some capability, in keeping with Forbes MacPherson, head coach of the UPEI Panthers hockey workforce.
Years in the past, MacPherson needed to depart a hockey sport early as a result of he had the flu. He stated James was the one that got here to verify on him to ensure he was OK.
“That was the primary night time I met Harry James. After which over the course of my life … we grew to become teammates and associates alongside the way in which.”
James volunteered with the Sherwood Parkdale Rural Minor Hockey Affiliation for a few years, and later offered 50/50 tickets at Panthers video games.
On Friday, Hockey P.E.I. issued a press release mourning his loss of life, saying he was a “pillar” throughout the group for a few years.
MacPherson stated that his absence will make a world of distinction for the Panthers.
“In some methods, he is the face of UPEI males’s hockey. He is the primary face that individuals see once they enter the sector. , Harry at all times had an enormous smile on his face. You might clearly hear his voice … echoing by way of the hallways and within the foyer and within the stands,” MacPherson stated.
James was the primary particular person to purchase a season ticket yearly, stated MacPherson, however there was no want.
“He was additionally volunteering at each sport, like there was no purpose for him to buy a ticket. However he did that as a result of that was simply his method of giving again.”
MacPherson stated he is unsure simply how, however the workforce will discover a option to honour James the following time they hit the ice.
James’s funeral can be held at St. Dunstan’s Basilica on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Whereas his household hasn’t determined whether or not they’ll arrange their father’s vacation show this 12 months, Mike James stated he is certain no less than a number of lights will shine brilliant.
“My brothers and sister should sit down and talk about all of it. However I do know my grandchildren will be certain he will not be forgotten,” he stated.
