It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James “Jim” O’Handley, 79, of Boisdale, Cape Breton, NS, on February 18, 2026, after a brief illness.

James is predeceased by his beloved son, Jamie Malcolm; parents, Duncan and Marion O'Handley; sisters, Charlotte O'Handley, Bernadette MacDougall, Linda Aikens, Kaye MacKinnon, and Sylvia MacNeil; brothers-in-law, Gerard MacDougall, Al Rudolph, Jimmy MacKinnon, Charlie Aikens; and nieces, Lisa Aikens and Debi MacDonald.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Margaret (MacDonald) O'Handley; children, Ryan, Meaghan, and Kaitlyn; sons-in-law, Ian Hugh MacNeil and Andrew French; and his adored grandsons, Theron James MacNeil and Malcolm Neil French. James is also survived by sisters, Marguerite (Jimmy) Goode, Renee Rudolph, Anne (Earl) MacPherson, and Mary (Ed) Naugle; brother, Gerald (Sandra) O'Handley; brother-in-law, Norman MacNeil, and many cherished nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dad wore many hats in his 79 years. Raised in what he proudly called “Beautiful Downtown Boisdale,” alongside ten siblings, he learned early the value of hard work and determination. As a young boy, he hunted, sold rabbits and jigged cod with his father. Dad learned at a young age that if something needed doing, you rolled up your sleeves and did it. Those lessons never left him.

At the age of 18, he wore the hat of an adventurer when he headed west to Toronto for work. Soon after, Dad found himself living in the Yukon, where he would live for several years building the Dempster Hwy. The Yukon placed a spell on Dad that never left him.

He wore the hat of a builder when love brought him home to Boisdale where in 1972, he married Margaret. Dad built the family home with his own hands on the O’Handley farmland. He took pride in his land, in a well kept lawn, and in living a simple life along the Bras d’Or Lakes.

Dad wore the hat of a worker whilst being a crane operator for Sydney Steel and later running a small carpentry business. But perhaps the hat he wore most firmly was that of a public servant.

From 1976 to 1995, Dad served as CB County District 6 Councillor. He believed deeply that rural residents of Cape Breton deserved every bit as much support and opportunity as those in more populated areas. He worked tirelessly to secure grants for homes, recreational facilities, fire halls, and community organizations. Dad served as Chairman of the CB County Board of Health and the Property and Conveyance Committee. He represented the county for nine years on the Northside Victoria School Board. While serving his constituents, Dad earned his teaching degree and became an instructor with the Dept of Advanced Education and Job Training. He taught Industrial and Marine Rigging at the Nautical Institute and later delivered safety programs at the Strait Area Campus of NSCC, leading to him founding his own business, Lakeland Safety prior to retirement.

At home, he wore his most important hat of all. Dad was a loving husband, a proud father, and a devoted grandfather. He loved conversation, storytelling, and learning about others. Helping people was not just something he did, it was who he was. Dad gave of himself fully; to his family, to his students, to his community. Dad’s legacy will live on through his stories that we will share for years to come. We are proud that Dad can now hang up his hat one last time.

Our family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the Palliative Care team at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. We will never forget the compassion and care you gave to our father. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Drive, Sydney, NS.

Visitation for James O’Handley will be held on February 24, from 4 to 8pm at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Boisdale, NS. Celebration of Life will be held on February 25, at 11 am. Reception to follow at the Boisdale Fire Hall. Interment at a later date. Family flowers only. In keeping with his spirit of community advocacy, donations may be made to either the Boisdale Vol. Fire Dept at boisdalevfd@gmail.com or the Christmas Island Vol. Fire Dept. tsiobhan@hotmail.com,

Words of comfort may be shared with the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.

There are strange things done in the midnight sun

By the men who moil for gold;

The Arctic trails have their secret tales

That would make your blood run cold;

The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,

But the queerest they ever did see

Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge

I cremated Sam McGee.