I met Jimmy over 50 years ago, at Neil McNeil, and we have been friends ever since. It is still hard for me to process his passing, but we did connect about a week before he passed and it was a great call, lots of laughing and reminiscing, as always and I will be forever thankful for that. But I still have thoughts of how I need to give Jimmy a call and tell him about the latest news and I miss his random calls, at all hours of the day and night, and particularly his voice messages which always went something like this….. “Hi Bruce, it’s me, give me a call, I have something important to tell you”. I came to know that Jimmy’s idea of important was anything under the Sun !!

In the early days, we spent countless hours hanging out and listening to our favourite record albums, “Thick as a Brick, Eldorado, Tommy, JC Superstar” etc. After we finished our stint at Neil in 1975, we both went on to work at Canada Trust (mail room). We thought we had struck gold, and we both went out and bought many 3 piece suites to wear to our very important job !!

Eventually, Jimmy took a job out West, but we still maintained our great friendship, with annual trips out West or back to TO, and many, many phone calls. It was not unusual for us to have a call specifically to watch the Olympics, or a hockey game or a baseball game. Generally, there was beer involved as these calls would last 3, 4, 5 Hours. I will never forget time we were watching the closing ceremonies of the Atlanta Summer Olympics in 96, together on the phone, and they paid tribute to Australia, the next host of the 2000 Olympics. Well Jimmy said, lets call Australia and congratulate them. I said who will we call, he quickly responded with, “There must be a James St. James in Australia”!! He quickly called directory assistance and set up a 3 way call and before I knew it we were talking to a nice guy, named James St. James in Melbourne !!. That was Jimmy, reaching out always. He just loved people, and he loved to talk !!

I feel blessed to have had a Lifetime Friendship with my buddy Jimmy. I will always cherish the memories and there were many, many memories. Today, his Birthday, we were scheduled to get together in Toronto, to celebrate another year in the books, as we have always done for over 50 years (sometimes by phone, but never missing each others big day).

I will always miss you Bro, and your spirit lives on in all the great memories we shared. When we meet again, and when we do you can introduce me to all your new friends, and we can keep the hits coming !!!

Always

Robert “the Bruce” Bowman

James and I became good pals at the start of the 2019 Blue Jays season, when I joined the 50/50 team. He was outgoing, hilarious, and super kind. His amazing energy was appreciated and recognized by our team as well as others across the dome. He would be the guy you could hear across the stadium.

We called each other on a regular basis after he moved West during the pandemic to share stories of our day, talk all thing Red Sox (eye-roll), and count down the days until his yearly return in August to come back to the dome and also work at the CNE. Often if I missed his calls, he would leave me a cheeky voicemail, many of which I still have saved.

I share many fond memories with him, which I'm sure many others do too. He was radiant and truly a star that shined as bright with his whole possible being. I miss him very much, and will carry his memory with me forever.

I express my sincerest condonlences for the loss of James to his family and friends.

Jimmy, bud, thinking of you.

I had the pleasure of being James's manager at the Blue Jays in 2019. He came in every day with the same positive energy and passion for the job. We could always count on James to do a great job and make people laugh.

We often bugged eachother about his red sox and could talk sports for hours. Many great laughs shared that made my job that much more enjoyable.

James you will be missed and will not be forgotten.

James will be sorely missed by the CNE Foundation 50/50 team. We were looking forward to seeing him again this summer and were heartbroken to hear this sad news.

James was an absolute delight to work with. He made friends wherever he went and was easily our top seller. James was also willing to help new staff by passing along tips and suggestions.

We extend our most sincere condolences to James’ family and friends for your loss.

Rest in peace, James. You will be fondly remembered.

With heavy heart 💔 tried to get a hold of my good friend last night as he did not show for his shift last night at the Goldeye’s. I received a call to say James St James passed away at his

apartment. I am mess last night and leaving work. James did sell the last 50/50 winner we had our last high five, our last hug, our last cheer and hug. Our chats went on long and me bugging him did you take your meds or where is your inhaler. We laugh. He was like a brother to me and I was annoying little short sister. I miss you until we meet again. ♥️♥️

I remember went he first joined the 50/50 crew who the heck was this tall guy with a huge heart and a voice that could be heard across the entire arena. To be a very kind warm and best friend you could ever come across.

You have touch so many people James & all the 50/50 crew will miss your smiling cheer at all the games. Blue Jays too

Look what I just found 🪙 thanks James miss you bud

Colleen(kiddo)

Rest in Peace James! John, Sydney, Ryan and Jude, I'm very sorry for the huge loss of James. James was such a nice man and I really enjoyed chatting with him. James was very modest, I told him several times that he was the best seller and he would make light of it. I'm going to miss his presence at the Arena.

I first met James 5 years ago at MLSE. Every time he walked into the office, I would ask myself "who is this guy always chatting to everyone, always laughing and who could forget that big infectious smile!!

I said to myself "I want to get to know him better"!......and I did!

James was always so funny, kind, bighearted and just so nice to everyone 🤗

We drove up north together last summer in my car (just the two of us) and during that 2 -1/2 hour drive, I really got to know James on a more personal note and I will always be grateful for that car ride together.

May you rest in peace my friend and I will always remember how you made everyone feel. ❤️❤️❤️

My husband and I loved getting our 50/50s from him at the Jets games the last two years! Hugs and condolences to the family! May his memory be for a blessing.

I had the pleasure of knowing and working with James for 5 years. With the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple leafs. James was truly A treat to everyone who knew him. I will miss your endless stories, our battles at gate 5 for the most sales, but mostly your gentle smile, and big heart 💕

I had the pleasure of hiring James and introducing him to 50/50 back in 2018 at the Toronto Blue Jays. It was a privilege and honour to be able to work with James for three seasons. His energy and charisma for baseball and life was unmatched. I will never forget he sold his winning ticket to a young couple going through IVF treatment (Game 2 of the 2018 season), and the relationship he kept with that family many years later. This legacy will remain for many years to come, that I'm sure of.

I'll never forget him coming in early every shift with a coffee to discuss everything under the sun for hours just because he loved being in the stadium. To know him is to love him, and he won't ever be forgotten in our 50/50 family. I'm so glad I got the opportunity to know James. I know he's watching over the Ballpark every chance he gets now, even from above 🕊️

Rest in Peace James

James lived in my basement suite when 1st moving back to Winnipeg. His laff could be herd through out the house. Always quick to lend a hand, a shoulder, a great listener. Always positive and always kind words. Rip 🙏 brother.

I met James in February this year and in that short time he left a mark on me. Unfortunately I did not know we had so many similarities. I was a CAF member of the airforce, I grew up in Scarborough. Went to the first Blue Jays game in 1977.

i truly wished we were able to talk about so many similaritie. although I am grateful of that beautiful smile of James that would warm anyone's heart. You will be greatly missed by your 50/50 family. Also the smile you shared with many Winnipeg sport's fans.

My deepest condolences go out to the family. In the short time I knew James he was a very special person to me and I enjoyed working with him selling 50/50 at Jets and Moose games. This coming hockey season and those to follow will not be the same without him saying to me "Go kill it kiddo" before we headed to our booths. You will always be remembered Rest In Peace my friend

I didn't know you for very long, but we became fast friends. Rest in peace brother

Words cannot express the sadness and sense of loss over James' sudden passing. I'm truly grateful that Jimmy was part of my story and the love never dies. May he sing with the angels and rest in eternal joy and peace. Until we meet again my friend! You will be missed ❤️

Well done Sydney, this is a good rep of JAMES,