Obituary of James John Douglas Richards

James John Douglas Richards It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Captain James (Jim) Richards of Dublin Shore, N.S. at the age of 82. He was the elder of two children born to the late John and Virginia (Publicover) Richards. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of over 57 years, Marlene (Fleet), formerly of Louisbourg, Cape Breton; son, Jamie (Nancy), Hebbville; daughter, Kimberley (Sanderson Semple), Orangeville, Ontario; grandchildren, Jennifer, Kristopher, Matthew, Nicholas; sister, Barbara (Jack Galley) Conquerall Bank and nephews, Richard and Darryl (Crowell). He was predeceased by an infant son. Jim was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star. Upon completion of high school, Jim joined the Imperial Oil tanker fleet, which sailed to South America and numerous ports along the Canadian and American coastlines. Having acquired the requisite sea time, Jim attended Navigational School and graduated with his Mates and then his Masters Certificates. It was in these positions that Jim was employed for several years by the Canadian National (CN) Ferry Services which operated between Cape Tormentine, N.B. (where he and his family lived) and Borden, P.E.I. In 1970, Jim and his family moved back to Nova Scotia where he was employed by the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation as Superintendent of the Provincial Highway Ferry Services for many years until his retirement. As a young boy onboard his grandfather’s sailing vessels, Jim learned to crawl, walk and drive a bicycle while sailing to foreign ports. Using his own personal accounts of life at sea and his grandfather’s ships records, Jim and Marlene co-authored the book, The Sea in My Blood, chronicling the life of his grandfather, (Captain James Leander “Andy” Publicover). We will miss Jim’s endless stories of his seafaring life. Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 in Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater and where the funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday May 1, 2014. Rev. Laurence Mawhinney officiating. Burial at Brookside Cemetery, Bridgewater. Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. The family wishes to extend our sincere appreciation for the wonderful care Jim received at Rosedale Home for Special Care, New Germany. On-line condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.