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Jim Sabourin Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Jim Sabourin
Sponsored by Heller MS class of 2007.
Mary Collins
October 8, 2011
Dear Judy,
It was just today that I was telling a friend about you and our days teaching together at St.Michael's, and just today that I learned of the loss of your beloved Jim. What an exquisite gift his life was, and how profound must be your heartbreak! You will remain in my constant prayers.
I decided to search for you on the internet after sharing with my friend a poem you wrote many years ago. "Discontent" speaks to a truth I now understand much more fully than I did twenty some years ago! I know a mother's heart can never heal completely, but I do pray that you again know the grace of "a warm spring morn."
I have fondest memories and deepest sympathy.
Las Rudolph Steiner Mounkala
March 18, 2011
I just learn about this tragic news now.
Once again I was trying to serch for Jim on the internet after all my effort to contact him and my others teachers were fruitless through peace corpse in 2007.
I had the priviledge to be one of his math student at Koula Moutou City in Gabon.It is has been more than 20years but I still have the tone of his french wih his strong english accent.I still remember all those afternoon we had nice volley ball and soccer matches.It was so fun having you around, you always had a way of making people laugh.
He was in his early twenties then and you could feel how he was vibrant,joyful, caring, passionate and committed in all is was doing.
He really touched the lives of many people around him, I remember how my father Mr Mounkala Joseph, who was his colleague, and every one else was so moved when he took under his guardianship a local boy by the name of Aloise and that is how Aloise life was transformed for the better, even when Jim returned to the States he took Aloise with him so that he could further his studies.
The last time my father and I saw Jim again it was in 1995 as he was in transit in Libreville/Gabon.I alaways wished to meet him again for the little boy I was has grown up.
Jim you you are gone too soon I am tempted to say but your contibution for a better society for the human race was quite a lifetime acheivement.
My deepest sympathy to those who share this lost, your family and especially your sister who once came and visist you in Koula Moutou and I remember how overwhelm with happiness you were about her visit.
You will be dearly missed.
Reast in peace Jim.
Edmond Kabagambe
August 2, 2010
I am suddened to learn of Jim's death! He was a wonderful man. I first met Jim at JFK airport on my first visit to the US (1995), he was smiling and showing me a clear warm welcome! I was tired but felt relaxed in his presence! He took me to the Loew's New York Hotel and told me stories of West Africa and how he enjoyed being there. I felt so good having him around, especially given that it was my first time to travel out of my home country Uganda. Nice people like Jim are few! Jim will be greatly missed. Please accept my condolenses.
Alice Monthe
January 30, 2010
I am just from reading James Death notice. I am so shocked to learn he is gone. i met him just once ( last year at the District of Columbia Grad Fair), and his advises and smile are still in my mind. each time i think about Brandeis, i see James. I am so so sorry. Do accept my deepest sympathy ( Alice Monthe District of Columbia)
Kalaba Kapundu
November 17, 2009
There are people that history considers to be great men of the world, people that names will never be forgotten... But there are also people who have done great things in this world that will never be forgotten, James Sabourin is one of those people who have contributed to the development of this world. He was a Great Man. may his soul rest in peace.
Dave C
November 16, 2009
November 16, 2009
My deepest condolences to the Entire Sabourin family..I did not know Jim directly, but had his Mother as my 7th grade teacher at St. Michaels in Hudson and played football with his brothers...What a great family and a tragic loss..Good Bless.
-Dave C (Formerly of Hudson)
November 12, 2009
The Sabourins,
It was with profound saddness to learn of Jim's passing here on the internet. Jim and I were colleagues for many years at the Africa-America Institute. We became good friends. He was one of the finest people I have ever met in my life: always willing to go beyond a call of duty to help our students in anyway he could. During my own illness in New York, he would be the first to come to the hospital to cheer me up. Always supportive and laughing, Jim was fun to be around. We kept in touch after I returned to South Africa and he continued to be the same Jim. This is a great loss indeed. I am absolutely devastated. I was hoping to see him when I return to the States. May the lord give you stength during this difficult times and may his soul rest in peace.
Marks
November 9, 2009
To all the Sabourins. My deepest sympathies on your loss. You are all in my thoughts an prayers. - Jim and Patrice Smith and Family
Linda Gilroy (Lussier)
October 28, 2009
Mr. and Mrs. Sabourin, Anne, Mike and Chris -
I am so saddened to hear of Jimmy's passing. I hadn't seen Jimmy in a couple of years but the last time was at Halloween handing out candy to the kids - one of which was mine. It was always wonderful to see Jimmy as he always had a smile and a big hug waiting for you. Growing up with you all has truly been a blessing and one for which I am forever grateful. Memories of our time as kids keep flooding back to me.
I will truly miss you Jimmy. You are much loved and deservedly so. Heaven has gained another angel.
My family and I are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
The Siekmans'
October 27, 2009
Coach and Judy,
Heather and I heard of Jim's passing and we are deeply sorry for your loss. He lived a truly full life. May God be with you.
Fanny Howard
October 24, 2009
My sincere condolences for the passing of Jim. as an international student I was corresponding with him even before I got to Heller in 2007, he was so helpful during the two years . I am grateful for having met him. May god comfort you at this sad hour
Paul & Dot Laflamme
October 23, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Suzanne White Brahmia
October 22, 2009
I am so, so sorry for your loss.
Jim will live forever in the hearts and minds of those of us who had the pleasure of serving with him in the Peace Corps in Gabon, and his many students whose lives he touched. We were a small group of 20-somethings hoping to leave the world a little better than we found it. Jim really succeeded at that. Oye Jim!
Thank you for sharing your son, grandson, brother, uncle and friend. His infectious laughter, sense of humor and joie de vivre brightened everyone's life. I will cherish the many happy memories.
Adieu, my friend. Rest in peace.
Svetlana Andreyeva
October 21, 2009
Please accept our condolences. We will always remember Jim as the best English teacher at ESl courses at Waltham Middle School and the nicest person. May he rest in peace and God be with him and you!
David McAuley
October 20, 2009
I knew Jim only for a short time as an incoming Heller student, but his kindness, relentless, and commitment to social justice inspired me. It is a true testament to Jim's character that a man so young shaped the world in so many endless ways. His legacy will live forever. May he rest in peace and may God be with you.
Michelle Gracie Duga
October 20, 2009
To the Sabourin Family.
We have the fondest memories of Jimmy and your family from our younger years.
Our family is saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
The Gracie Family
Patty Nigro
October 19, 2009
Mere words cannot express how deeply saddened I am by Jimmy's death. I never got to know him as a man, but my memories of Anne's big brother are all such good ones. The hours I spend with your family, going over the "hill" from my house to yours when I was a child, are ones I would never trade. When I look back over my life at the truly good people I know, your family tops the list. Knowing of the choices Jimmy made to serve and love others is truly inspiring. He left this world too soon.
My prayers are with you all,
Monika Floyd
October 18, 2009
Dear Sabourin Family,
I would like to express my sincere condolences.
I have had the privilege to work with Jim at the Power Program, Waltham, where he dedicated many precious hours and long evenings to the education of international students.
I know that he made a difference in the lives of many immigrants and students from every corner of the world, and helped them to become better communicators, livelong-learners and professionals.
Jim's dedication, his vision, and his love for the betterment of people made him very special and will be terribly missed.
With greatest sympathy,
Monika Floyd
October 18, 2009
Sabourins,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Jim. He was such a genuinely caring and special person. I am so glad I was able to know him in the capacity I did. His passing is a great loss for so many. We will keep you in our prayers during this difficult time.
The Melia/Rice Family, Northbridge
Kay (Ashworth) & Vic SanSouci
October 18, 2009
Judy, we were saddened to hear of the loss of your son. He sounds like a wonderful and accomplished young man that made you and his dad very proud. We will keep you, your husband and family in our prayers during this time of grief and sorrow.
Rebecca Hill
October 18, 2009
Jim was a wonderful man, colleague and friend. His smile, laughter and humor lit up our office and his memory and spirit will always remain in the halls of Heller. He will be greatly missed by all who were lucky to know him. My heart goes out to all of his friends and family.
October 18, 2009
To the Sabourin family,
I hope you find comfort in all the great memories you have of Jim. Above all else, I know he would want his family and friends to be happy. He cared so deeply for his core people as he worked tirelessly to ensure the betterment of others, even those he had never met. The accomplishments achieved in his life evince the wonderful works he did, his smile shows the wonderful soul he was.
Lauren (Salters) Gillenwater HC '86
Rana Sughayyar
October 18, 2009
I was a student in Heller School who knew Jim like many others upon my arrival. Jim has touched our lives in so many ways... He will be missed and will always be remembered. May God grant you strength in these tough times. RIP Jim we love you.
Rana Sughayyar
SID Student 2005/2006
Beirut, Lebanon
October 18, 2009
To the Sabourins;
I've picked up the phone 100 times to call both you, Anne, and the old homestead. I just couldn't do it. The years & the miles make no difference; you are all family to me, and I feel like the world isn't right without Jimmy in it. I find myself thinking of some silly little thing from when we were kids...Our little concert & Jim helping us rig up the curtains, Wizard of Oz parties...just everything, and with each memory, my heart breaks all over again. I guess God must have needed a true angel, because that's the only reason this makes sense. I love you, Jimbo, and my thoughts & prayers are with you and the whole family.
Rehman Khan
October 17, 2009
Jim was a wonderful man.... He had always been very very helpful to all, especially the international, students. He will always be remembered in our prayers. May God bless him with eternal peace.
Abdul Rehman Khan
Heller SID student 07,
Presently PhD student at the UW-Madison, WI.
Peggy McDermott
October 17, 2009
To the Sabourin Family - our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult loss. We remember you all from our years in Hudson. Childhood seems like just yesterday - amazing how time flies. Jim did good with his life.
Peace to you all -
from
Bob McDermott & family
Laurence Simon
October 17, 2009
Jim was a colleague and friend during all the years he spent at the Sustainable International Development Program at the Heller School at Brandeis. I looked forward to my annual trips with him to New and Washington to visit scholarship organizations. Each visit impressed me with the great respect the Ford Foundation, the Soros Foundation, the Fulbright Program, Embassies and others had for Jim. I cannot overstate the contribution he made to hundreds and hundreds of young professionals from Asia, Africa and Latin America as our admissions director and as a strong advocate for our programs.
Of course I will miss him as a colleague...but more so even as a friend and compassionate and caring and sweet human being.
My love to his parents, grandmother, and siblings and extended family. I can only imagine their sense of loss.
Brenda Ennis
October 17, 2009
The absolute devotion of your family during these past weeks has been a true definition of love. Upon going to be with Steve on Thursday I was told Jim had passed. The hours in the ICU waiting room offered us a common connection, as we prayed for our loved ones.
What a beautiful life, giving so much of himself for the betterment of others. My heart aches for all of you, please know I will hold you in my prayers. Jim certainly was fortunate to never be alone....and you all were so blessed to be with him.
God Bless
October 17, 2009
Jim was truly a great friend and like a brother to my sister and I. We keep you all in our prayers and Jim's memory in our hearts. Rest in Peace Jimmy.
Heaven has gained an all-star.
Love,
The MacDonalds
John, Laura, JT, Jessica, Peg, Linda
Fran DiNicola
October 17, 2009
Judy, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Ken & Esther Reilly
October 17, 2009
Tig and Judy we are truly sorry for your great loss, our prayers go out to you and your family. May God be with you.
Ugochukwu Amanyeiwe
October 17, 2009
Your grandson, son, brother, uncle and friend was one of the finest persons I ever met. He touched my life just as he touched loads of others from different corners of the globe as we sought to better our opportunities through the SID program.
He was steadfast in his support to us despite the challenges we had to face today I am all the better for it.
I am working at having as many priest as I can reach saying mass for the repose of your soul Jim. My goal is to have at least one mass said on every continent, all of where your life has impacted upon through the students you recruited.
Of all the amazing things I found out about Jim, the greatest was his deep and abiding love for his catholic faith. May God grant him eternal rest, joy and happiness where he is presently,
God bless you all in his family for sharing with us the gift of Jim's life of service to humanity. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
P/S
Please Hellerites across the globe help me achieve this goal if you have the means kindly book a mass for Jim in any country
Ugo
Matthew & Arlene McGuirk
October 17, 2009
My mother and I did not see you all in the waiting room on Thursday or Friday, and we unfortunately had to assume that your son and brother had lost his battle with cancer. We are very sorry for your loss, and we pray that Jim and your family are now in a more peaceful place.
Jim certainly lived a full 45 years, and there is no doubt that he left the world a better place than when he found it.
You will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
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