Major (Retired) James A. Legere, CD

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Major (Retired) James Arthur Legere, CD (Jim Senior) on 18 September 2024 at the age of 80.  Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle, he was with his loving wife and daughter when he peacefully left this world after a valiant four-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. 

Jim was born in Saint John, NB, and grew up in Port Elgin, NB.  Like many young Maritimers at the time, he sought a new life and new adventures away, and the Royal Canadian Air Force offered such opportunities.  Starting out as a Leading Aircraftman (LAC) Air Force Policeman he met the love of his life – a young Leading Aircraft Woman (LAW) medic named Margo poolside at a tiny little radar station in St-Sylvestre, Quebec.  They were married in 1964 in the teeth of a howling blizzard.  A proud member of the Security (Military Police) Branch, he was commissioned from the rank of Warrant Officer to Lieutenant in 1977.  Highlights of his military career include travelling around the world as a VIP Aircraft Security Officer, protecting dignitaries such as Pope John Paul II (now Saint John Paul II), members of the Royal Family – including Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles and Lady Diana (during their honeymoon tour of Canada), the Queen Mother, and Princess Margaret – and with numerous Canadian government leaders.  He also served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the Golan Heights.  Jim retired as a Major in 1995 from MARCOM HQ where he and Margo settled into their dream home in Musquodoboit Harbour. 

Jim was indeed an officer and a gentleman.  To his family he was a patriarch whose love, keen sense of humour, compassion, and wise counsel always brought the family together, despite the geographical challenges of being a military family.  Jim led the Legere family through many adventures across Canada – from Comox, BC, to Greenwood, NS, and many places in between.  He was known for his unwavering commitment to family, incredible sense of humour, his uncanny people skills, his musical talents, and, most of all, his remarkable kindness. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Margo, his sons Jim Jr. (Cathy) and Jeff (Amanda), and his daughter Jennifer, sister Carol, and brothers Dale (Shirley) and Dave.  He was proud “Papa” to Sabrina, Jimmy, Robert, Laura, Amy and Scott, and a proud great-Papa to Damian and Adriel.  Monica Lynns, his “second daughter”, always held a special place in his heart. He is pre-deceased by his mother, Alice (nee McGinley), and father, George, brother-in-law, Patrick, and sister-in-law, Violet.   

Visitation will take place from 2 – 4 p.m. and 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, 3 October 2024 at the Fundy Funeral Home, 230 Westmorland Road Saint John, NB (506-646-2424).  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, 4 October 2024 at St. Rose of Lima Church 541 Milford Road, Saint John, NB.   A Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends from 1 – 4 p.m. on Saturday, 5 October 2024, at the Dennis Morris Community Center, 330 Green Head Road, Saint John, NB. 

The family would like to thank the wonderful and compassionate staff at the Halifax Victoria General Hospital Palliative Care Unit, and the Halifax Hospice for taking such great care of Jim during his last weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Military Police Fund for Blind Children or the Salvation Army in memory of Jim’s kindness and giving nature. To send a message of condolence please visit www.fundyfuneralhome.com