James Frederic Marie Brouillet

James Frederic Marie Brouillet, 35, passed away on February 18, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. James was born on June 6, 1990, in New York to Serge and Joann Brouillet.

He was raised in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada, and graduated from Concordia University in Montreal in 2013 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance. James later moved to California, where he worked in the IT industry and completed an Extension Applications Programming certificate at UCLA. Already fluent in French, his abiding interest in Japanese culture led him to learn Japanese as a third language, eventually reaching N2 proficiency.

In 2025, he left Los Angeles to pursue his dream of mastering Japanese by enrolling at the Kudan Institute of Japanese Language and Culture in Tokyo. Beyond his studies and career, James formed lasting friendships with people around the world as an active member of the Final Fantasy XIV community. He was a highly respected and beloved player, admired for his kindness and dedication to helping others.

Those who knew James will remember his discipline, selflessness, and devotion to his faith. No matter where he was in the world, James always found a way to attend Sunday mass, even if it meant long walks through unfamiliar streets to reach a church. He never failed to thank the Lord for the blessings in his life, volunteered in his church and community, and was living his dream in Japan until his final moments.

James is survived by his parents; his sister, Perrine Brouillet, and his brother-in-law, William Roever; as well as many aunts, uncles, two grand-aunts, a grand-uncle, and cousins. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on March 12, 2026, at Jesus Our Risen Savior Catholic Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina.