Obituary: James Brine III, Loving Husband and Father, Passes After Battle with Cancer

The following is a notice from :

James W. Brine III, owner of Brine Sporting Goods, passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer on Sunday afternoon, August 19. He was 48 years old. Jim was born in Arlington and was a lifelong resident of Burlington. He was a graduate of Austin Preparatory School, Class of 1982 where he excelled in sports, especially hockey, tennis and baseball. He went on to graduate from Providence College in 1986, where he would meet his future wife Kathy. 

 he first James F. Brine, Inc. sporting goods store opened in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1867.   The family business was instilled in Jim at an early age.  He worked throughout high school and college at one of the stores. Jim joined his father after college and eventually became the sixth generation of Brine’s running the family business.  Jim and his sister Maura Allen grew the business and adapted to meet their customers’ needs. To compete with the today’s Sports Mega stores, Jim, Maura, their family and staff, believe and follow the business model of his father and father’s father, which is to have a knowledgeable staff, offer quality merchandise, and treat your customers as your friends.

Jim had a strong Catholic faith and was an extremely active member of St. Margaret’s Church. He served as Director of Saint Margaret’s First Grade CCD program for 12 years.  Jim was also a Third and Fourth Degree member of the Burlington Knights of Columbus.  During his illness, from diagnosis until the very end, Jim’s faith was unequivocal.   Jim’s biggest concern throughout his battle was that all his family and friends, especially the young people who prayed on his behalf, would be disheartened and lose their faith.  Jim wanted everyone to know that the masses and prayers offered for his well-being were a source of comfort and sustained him and all his family during his illness, for which he was eternally grateful.  Jim’s faith never waivered and he prayed that his illness would not cause anyone to lose theirs.  

Jim’s source of pride was that of his family, the one he was born into and the one he and his wife Kathy created. Being one of the 10 children of Nancy and Jim (Jr.) was a special gift.  As the oldest of this Brine family, Jim paved the way in his quiet yet strong manner for all of his siblings. Jim was the definition of “Role Model” to all his siblings. With the guidance of his loving parents he set the standard for qualities such as kind, caring, determined, strong, loyal, hardworking, respectful and trusting which his brothers and sisters have lived by throughout their lives.  

Jim was a loving husband to his wife Kathy, for 23 years. In Jim’s words, Kathy and Jim were made together in heaven.  Their unbreakable bond only grew stronger as they fought his illness together.  Like his faith, their love for each other has never waivered.  As a parent, he brought his beautiful spirit to his own children. Through his quiet, selfless ways, he has shown his children how to lead a simple yet meaningful life. Through his actions of supporting, cheering, guiding, and analyzing each child in academics, sports, dancing, and making life’s decisions, his influence, wisdom, and love will live on in their hearts forever.

Jim was the beloved husband of Kathleen “Kathy” A. (McLellan).  He was the devoted and proud father of Jennifer “Jenn”, James IV, Colleen “Coco” and Kaitlyn “Kait”.  He was the loving son of James W. Jr. & Nancy (Winn) of Burlington.  He was the brother of Joe & his wife Livia of Littleton, Maura Allen & her husband Joe of Pepperell, Wendy Gavin & her husband Steve of Groton, Jeff of Billerica, Heidi Melanson & her husband Mark of Burlington, Gary Snow-Brine & his wife Sarah of Wells, ME, Gayle Ford & her husband Matt of Holland, PA, Mark of Haverhill, & Scott of Brighton & his fiancée Joanne Crooker.  He was the son-in-law of Thomas & Betty McLellan of Burlington and Brother-in-law of Tom & Leann McLellan of Naples, FL, Colleen & Billy Allen of Hopkinton and Kelly and Wally Swanson of Wilbraham.  Also survived by twenty-five nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St. (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St.  at 11 a.m. 

Visiting hours Wednesday 4-9 p.m.  Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.  In lieu of Flowers memorials in Jim’s name may be made to the Knights of Columbus Exceptional Children’s Fund, PO Box 25, Burlington, MA 01803 or Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, 55 Fruit St., Boston, MA 02114.