John James was born on July 8, 1964, raised in Eskasoni and later Wagmatcook. He was the son of the late Charles and Annie Bridget (Basque) Gould. He passed away on Dec 5, 2022, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
He was predeceased by Maternal Grandparents William and Bridget Basque. Paternal grandparents Noel and Jessie Gould. Granddaughter Mckenna (in infancy). Best friend Tommy Marshall, Brothers Ryan, Charles, Noel Joe, and Terry. Godparents Eugene Denny and Dorthy Stevens.
John is survived by wife Vera Pierro, Children Tara (Kerk), Keisha, Keanna (Konrad), Payson, Julian (Shelly) and Evan (Faye).
Special children Annie B, Kendal, Kailee, Kelsi, Celine, Todd, Dalen and Brent.
Grandchildren Jaylen, Kane, Mariana, Reece, Josh, Addison, Dawson, Artemi, Leah, Lilliannah, Hayden, Heavan and Gigi.
Siblings Billy (Rita), Hubert (Connie), Marjorie (Stan), Jessie, Anita (Esmond), Mary Ellen (Blair), and sister-in-law Kelly.
Godchildren – Tiffany A Gould, Taraneh Pierro, Sunnet Marshall, Bradford Gould, Sarah Pierro, Blake Pierro, Jacob Gould and Terry Jij Levi.
John was an avid sports fan who attended many events taking pictures which was one of his passions. He would always say, “That’s Memories”. Getting autographs was his specialty.
John was a keen learner who chased the world by obtaining education in various areas of interest. From institutions in which he gained the knowledge he was seeking in hopes of helping others. From Native Education counselling in Ontario, Cape Breton University (BA), McGill University (Montreal) for Mi’kmaq Literacy, to St.Thomas University (NB), Bachelor of Social Work. He always said, “The best teachers of life were the people he met”, and he met many in his travels.
Every Summer during the Blue Harvest in Maine he would travel there to make memories with the girls and their friends and cousins who were like his own children. He even worked at the Migrant School to provide the support and activities through Counselling. He loved that part of the Summer, most of all camping with family and daily excursions and even taking his girls to Santa Village as a bonus. He wasn’t a blueberry picker, but he was always seen running in the field making sure others had cold water and make sure everyone took breaks throughout the day.
Visiting his brother Terry & family was his annual routine where he would do the sightseeing and take time to attend and NHL Game.
He was a collector of many interesting things and best collection was photos with autographs of celebrities and important people in his life. John James had many more plans for his grandkids to make memories but this was cut short. Always told stories of his best times with Albert & Murdena Marshall who took him in as a son and when he spent his best times with his friend (late) Tommy Vincent “Frenchie” Bernard was his hero who made sure John was able to play sports over the years into his adult years. John loved playing ball and the bonus was he shared the field with his brothers and best friends. He would always say, “It’s for the love of the game!”
He often spoke of his bus driver and who was the Fiddling Champion and his mentor (late) Lee Cremo. The pride of the Mi’kmaq Nation. John also had the pleasure of Coaching his daughter Keanna’s hockey team the Baddeck Bobcats where he got to enjoy the game with his team that enjoyed the game of hockey and to share the time with his hockey kids was a bonus.
For over 25 years John volunteered to collect for Salite auctions that are held after funerals for our community of Wagmatcook.
We would like to thank the Dr’s and staff at 4D and 3B at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and Dialysis Unit and Victoria General Hospital in Halifax.
Special thanks to Eskasoni & Wagmatcook Health Centres, also Chief Norman & Council and to all who helped out along the way. We appreciate all you did for John James and our family.
A visitation will take place Dec 10th, after 7pm at the Elder Center in Wagmatcook. A Funeral Mass will be held at Queen of the World Parish at 11am, Dec 12th, and burial will take place in the Wagmatcook Cemetery, followed by feast and “Salite” auction at Wagmatcook Culture Centre. To share memories and condolences please visit www.twcurry.com.
