James Geddie "Jim" Fraser of Trenton, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on October 10, 2023 in Palliative Care, Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow after lengthy health issues with Diabetes and IBM (Inclusive Body Myositis). Jim was born on October 2, 1944 to the late Kimball and Christine (Somerville) Fraser of Trenton.
Jim is survived by the love of his life of 55 years, Paulette (Cotter) Fraser; daughter, Tanya, New Glasgow; sons: Todd (Libby), New Glasgow, Darren (Kelly), South Surrey, BC; five grandchildren: Holly, Bethany, Jackson, Layla and Tessa; three great-grandchildren: Blake, Liam and Kylie; sisters: Margie Allen; twin sister, Diane Patterson; sisters-in-law: Hilary Fraser, Joanne Wilkie, Ola (Dale) Williams and Meredith Cotter; many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by brother, Rev. Bill Fraser; parents-in-law Owen and Mary Cotter; brothers-in-law: Rev. John Patterson, Ron Cotter, Wallace Allen and Don Wilkie.
Jim was a graduate of the Nova Scotia Teachers’ College and St. Francis Xavier University. He started teaching in New Glasgow Junior High in 1966 for 7 years, the last 4 as Vice-Principal. Jim then moved to the New Diamond Street School in Trenton as Principal and Teacher. After 9 years he moved to the Florence Condon Junior High as Principal and Math Teacher. At the end of 3 years Jim became the Principal of the 3 Elementary Schools in Trenton. After 7 years, he moved to West Pictou Consolidated School as Principal where he retired after 4 years.
Jim was a member of St. John the Baptist Parish in New Glasgow and a member of the former Christ the King Parish in Trenton where he served on Parish Council, Finance and as a Lector. Jim was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 1667 New Glasgow and was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Moses M. Coady Assembly in Pictou. He also served as District Deputy for two terms.
Jim volunteered as Secretary of Trenton Minor Hockey for 13 years, and was an integral part of the Annual March Break Tournament. He also served as Secretary of Aberdeen Palliative Care Society for 11 years, Chair of Family Service of Pictou County for 5 years and dedicated his time as a volunteer in multiple capacities both charitable and political.
Jim served on Town Council for the Town of Trenton for a total of 8 years as a Councillor, Deputy-mayor and Mayor until illness forced him to retire in 2005.
With his limitations in recent years, he still enjoyed playing cards at family gatherings, reading, doing puzzles of all types, crib games with good friend, Barry Trenholm, going for drives and time spent at D&B Campground. His never wavering support for the Toronto Maple Leafs provided him hope (disappointment) year after year.
Visitation 2-4 and 7-9 pm Sunday, October 15, R.H. Porter Funeral Home, 55 Amont Ave., New Glasgow. Funeral Mass 11 am Monday, October 16, St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, New Glasgow, with Fr. Tom MacNeil officiating. Burial in Christ the King Cemetery. St. John the Baptist CWL will meet at the funeral home at 1:30pm Sunday for prayers. Knights of Columbus will meet at the funeral home at 6:30pm Sunday for prayers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ the King Cemetery, Pictou County Palliative Care Society, our local Food Bank or charity of choice.