James M. Couhie

James Michael "Jimmie/Jim" Couhie passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Born on December 5, 1958, he was adopted into the loving home of Joe and Bea Couhie in June 1959 where he joined older adopted brother Bill. He was raised in Berlin. NH and attended Berlin schools: St. Patrick Elementary and Berlin Junior/Senior High School, graduating in 1976. He started his college career at UMaine Portland-Gorham (University of Southern Maine) where he was a member of the men's varsity basketball team until two fractured back vertebrae interrupted his stay there. He transferred to Plymouth State College from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1981.

He taught at Horizons Edge School in Canterbury, NH and Gilman/Lunenburg, VT before working 30+ years in the hospitality field. Actually, he started in this field while still in college. He did many different jobs in such establishments as the Balsams Hotel, Mountain View Grand Resort, Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod, Red Jacket Inn, Scarecrow Pub, Town & Country Inn and many other restaurants and hotels/motels.

He had many peaks and valleys during his lifetime, but the two constants were working with children and sports. Eventually, he re-entered the education field working as substitute teacher, tutor and para­ professional in the Berlin and Gorham school systems. For 35+ years he volunteered as a coach or camp instructor for the Berlin and Gorham recreation departments. He coached many different sports, such as T-ball, basketball, soccer, baseball, kickball and whatever activity needed his support.

He truly enjoyed coaching travel team basketball for the Gorham Recreation department, with many fond memories. He loved every second and has a special place in his heart for every child he worked with, be it school or sports.

He was predeceased by his mother Bea in 1981 (cancer), his brother Billy in 1986 (construction accident) and father Joe in 1992 (cancer). He had no family of his own. Two close relatives were his cousin Gene Dionne and his cousin Mike's widow, Sue Couhie.

He had a few close friends: Bill Russakoff (met at UMPG 1976), his wife Linda, Bill Dow, Aisha Rae Vien (and family), Kelly Tupick, Nancy Loring, Louise Tibbetts, Lenny & Carol Lacroix, the Heath family and Cathy Witsoe. Though too many to mention, he cherished all his friendships.

He would like to leave with a quote he tried to live by - “I shall pass thru this world but once; any good thing therefore I can do, or any kindness I can show to any human being let me do it now, let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."  - Stephen Grellet

Jimmie would like to leave you all with a final...take care and keep smiling.

SERVICES: Prayers will be offered on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 1pm at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin. Interment will follow at the St. Kieran Cemetery, where Jim will be laid to rest next to his brother, as was his wish.  A Celebration of Life will follow at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Berlin.