JAMES JOSEPH SOMERS-SUMMERS
1897-1980
The source of the name of James is from the Latin word "lacobus" meaning
"One who trips up another and takes his place".
Source: Babynamer.com
Events of 1897:
Cabot Tower was built at the top of Signal Hill in St. John's Newfoundland
to commemorate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's first visit to the region.
1914 Photo of Jim who was born 28 May 1897 in Placentia, (Freshwater/Jerseyside area)
Newfoundland. Baptized 6 Jun 1897 at Sacred Heart Parish, Placentia, sponsors
William Power and Clara Barron.
This parish may be the oldest RC Church in Newfoundland, established in 1785,
according his nephew, Father James Mason.
The Summers family migrated to Sydney,
Nova Scotia. C1909. Jim enlisted in the Canadian Infantry
and served in Europe during WW I. National Archives of Canada
record, Regimental #2138471, Box #9422-55.
The son of Philip Summers and Ellen Mary Houlihan, he married
Catherine Mary Butler 28 July 1920 in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Catherine, born 1 Jul 1898, Whitbourne, Newfoundland, who was the
daughter of Philip Francis Butler and Ellen M. Buck. Their
marriage was the first Nuptial Mass and wedding at the new Holy
Redeemer RC Church in Sydney. Rev. M.L. O'Connell officiated. The happy couple honeymooned at
Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. For a time they lived at 481 Prince St. until they
moved to the United States. Jim and Catherine were blessed with six children.
Ellen Mary 1923-1981; Catherine 1925-1925; James Philip 1927-1992;
Thomas John; Patricia Louise; and Geraldine M.
Jim changed his name to Somers. Canadian records show Summers.
U.S. records show Somers. It is not known exactly when the name was
changed, although it may have been 1923 or earlier.
As a young man, Jim worked in the mines. He also went to
Vancouver, British Columbia to work at logging for a time.
He was drafted under Military Sevice Act #1917, in the Canadian Expeditionary Force
6 Nov. 1917 while in Kimberley, British Columbia.
After getting married and coming to the U.S., Jim worked as a crane operator.
He suffered a back injury in a crane accident. His next field
of expertise was an instructor at a Barber School in Albany,
New York. Later he became a machinist and plied that trade
until his retirement. Quite a varied background for a man
with a ninth grade education.
In 1923 Catherine and Jim migrated to Buffalo, New York via the
Grand Trunk Railway. He was naturalized 11 Jun 1953. The telephone
rang often to see if Jim would participate in singing at benefits
for hospital patients. He always accepted. An avid card player,
he could easily win, but often did not. He was just that kind of
person. Winning was not that important. Jim loved to read,
especially mysteries or books by John Steinbeck and Zane Grey.
He was fluent in French and had considerable knowledge of Gaelic.
When he visited San Diego, he often cooked dinner.
Such a great cook!
Jim is laid to rest next to
Catherine, at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Kenmore, Erie Co., New York.
For more information see also Catherine Mary Butler Biography
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