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James Arthur Haigh was born in 1937 to James Arthur Haigh and Marie Loretta Brisson, he was the first of four children born to this couple.
Jim grew up in Smithfield, RI and lived there most of his life, however, he did live in MA, NE, and IA in his lifetime. He graduated from URI, with post graduate work out of the Univ. of Wisconsin, Iowa State University and Univ. of Iowa. He was licensed as a Professional Engineer in RI in 1973. He was also a member of multiple engineering societies, a guest speaker and a seminar presenter.
Jim married Joyce P. Malone in 1963 and together they had four children. Jim was involved in a large variety of activities from politics to the community and church, but he always felt his greatest achievement in life was his dedication to his loving wife and 4 children.
Jim was one of my 45 first cousins on my dad's side and out of all of them, he was the oldest I knew. There were a few others that were older, but I never had the opportunity to get to know them like I did with Jim. We often spoke about family, kept in touch by phone and when in the area we would go out and enjoy lunch together.
His wife Joyce was wonderful and very involved in scouting as was he, along with genealogy and learning about his ancestors. I helped him go back a number of generations to England two Christmases ago and he was so thrilled to learn about all of those ancestors along with being part of the Brisson and Haigh legacy.
Unfortunately, his wife, Joyce, passed away in 1992 after a horrible battle with cancer. It was a terrible loss to him and their children. Jim recently passed away unexpectedly, he was 79 years old. Our many phone calls and his opportunity to continue that bond between father and children and cousins grew over time and is now gone.
He wrote his own obituary in May, 2015, here is a link to it. Whenever we'd talk or get together, it was always good fun, talking about days gone by, children, family, growing up and of course, what new things were going on. He always made time to attend funerals of aunts and uncles and visited them when opportunities came along.
He will be missed by his own children, his siblings and all those he interacted with each and every day. May he rest in peace.
James Arthur Haigh: 1937-2016
Marie Beatrice Brisson was born on 10 January 1920, she was the 9th of 16 children born to Omer Joseph Brisson, Sr. and Julia Anne Plante. Two of their children died the same day as their birth so she was the 7th living child.
With so many children in the family everyone grew up quickly and learned to help out to get everything done in the home and find jobs as soon as they could to simply survive the times.
Aunt Bea worked as a waitress in many locations and helped to raise the younger ones as they came along. She also was a banquet server and a host which, combined with her own skills, made her a wonderful cook for many many years.
She married Alred Crisostomi on 21 June 1941 and lived in Providence, Rhode Island all her life. Here she had 3 children, Carmino, Robert and Julie Ann. She did all she could to raise her family and help her siblings with their families.
These were very difficult times, the "Great Depression" was here and life was very hard, jobs were scarce but she maintained a positive attitude through all this and the loss of her husband and children.
Over the years she became an inspiration to the many nieces and nephews she had along with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When you bring up Auntie Bea's name everyone smiles and says "she was such an inspiration to me and always knew exactly what to say to help me through anything at the time".
Her legacy is amazing as she leaves many grandchildren, great grandchildren and many more nieces and nephews who are scattered all over the United States.
She passed away on December 26, 2014, a liitle over a year ago, she was 94. Even today speaking to one of her many descendants, they always say, "I miss calling and talking to Auntie Bea, she was always so positive and had the best outlook on life, she loved to go places and have fun".
In 2014, she was the 3rd sibling to pass away in this family. Her sister Jeannette Brisson Renza passed away on 22 Feb. 2014, then another sister, Lillian Brisson Anastasi on 11 June 2014 and then Beatrice Brisson Crisostomi. There two siblings still living, they also miss her daily cheerful phone calls as well as getting together and enjoying life.
May she rest in peace and know she is dearly missed by many.
Marie Beatrice (Brisson) Crisostomi: 10 Jan. 1920-26 Dec. 2014
Comments are Always welcomed!
Claire (*)
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