Obituary of Jim Longworth

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Longworth, Harold “Jim” James

The passing of Harold “Jim” James Longworth of Fredericton, NB, occurred peacefully in his sleep at his home on October 15, 2025. A faithful husband to his dear wife Barbara Janice (Wright) Longworth, Jim was born on July 26, 1945 in Guelph, ON, the son of the late Elsie Jean (Lewis) and Donald Murray Longworth. 

Jim was a man of prayer who knew God and was deeply devoted to Christian ministry throughout his life. 

He was raised on the mission field in Costa Rica where his parents faithfully served as missionaries all their lives.  Despite suffering the loss of his dear mother at a young age, Jim grew up loving God and had a lifelong passion to serve God and others.

He later spent 20 years as a missionary in Africa, serving first as a nurse at SIM’s Bémbéreké hospital in Benin where he met and married Barbara.  He served as a church planter among the Monkolé people of Benin whom he loved deeply as a spiritual father.  Jim eventually moved to Niamey, Niger where he became SIM’s Director over French West Africa. Upon returning to Canada, he continued to serve God in many meaningful ways. He worked with SIM as a regional director, recruited missionaries, and remained actively involved his local church. He also ministered to others through programs such as Celebrate Recovery (as the Atlantic Director) and Soul Care. 

Jim found joy in reading and loved the outdoors. He enjoyed gardening, caring for his chickens, feeding the birds and being a devoted support to his wife both inside and outside the home. A true gentleman to the end, Jim never stopped loving others and praying for people across the world. He was a leader in ministry, a loving father, a compassionate mentor, a genuine servant of all, and a father to the fatherless. Above all he reflected Jesus whom he knew so well. 

Jim is survived by his dear wife Barbara to whom he was married for 49 years; his dear children Carol Jean and Don (Erin); and his grandchildren Mahayla, Mercy, and Katelyn whom he deeply loved.  He is also survived by his siblings, Peggy, John (Peggy Lynn), and Nancy Rose (Rodolfo), his nieces and nephews Arthur, Lilly, Bobby, Benjy (Stephanie), Anna (Giovanni), Lisa, as well as his grand nieces Amanda, Nova, and Anna.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, his grandson Caleb, his nephew Andrew, and his brother, David.

Jim will be deeply missed for his faith, kindness and unwavering love for others. We take comfort that he is at peace in the arms of the Lord whom he loved and that he is also rejoicing in God’s presence with his dear family and friends who have gone on before him.  As he joins with that “great cloud of witnesses” we know that he is also urging us all to also finish our races well, and make our own salvation sure so we might also meet him there. His legacy of faith has indelibly impacted us all and we thank God for giving us such a faithful servant and exceptional reflection of Jesus Christ our LORD.

Visitation will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive, Fredericton, on Sunday, October 19, 2025 from 3-5 PM.  

The funeral will be held at Lincoln Baptist Church, 2275 NB 102, Lincoln, NB on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 11 am with a reception to follow. Following the funeral and reception at the church, the interment will take place at Seymour Memorial Cemetery, 122 Kingsley Rd. 

A livestream of the funeral will be available at:

https://www.youtube.com/@lincolnbaptistchurch777/streams

For those who wish to honour his memory with a gift, donations may be made to the ministries that were dear to his heart:

SIM Canada- https://www.sim.ca/ways-to-give

Celebrate Recovery Canada: https://www.celebraterecovery.ca/giving/

Personal Condolences may be offered through  www.yorkfh.com