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| View from Waterfront - Halifax Explosion - December 6, 1917 Wikimedia,org |
Under the ruins, flames were approaching as Jim Cody, an apprentice teacher, managed to get himself and my great uncle, 18-year-old Abe Landry, toward the light and out of the debris of Jim’s cobbler shop at 1209 Barrington Street. Moments later, the collapsed building they’d been in, was fully engulfed.
On behalf of Abe’s children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and those his life touched, I want to let Jim Cody’s family know how grateful and thankful we are that Jim saved his life.
Uncle Abe lived to see his 98th birthday. He owned and operated two business: Landry’s Shoe Repair Shop in the Hydrostone section of the North End of Halifax for 47 years and was co-owner of Landry’s Grocery Store on St. Margarets Bay Road with his son Percy. Abe retired at age 95.
After the explosion, it appears that Jim Cody went to work as a watchman at New Terminals Railway.
If anyone reading this has more information they’d like to share about Jim and/or his family, listed below, I’d appreciate it if you’d share it with me. I’m working on a memoir about my grandfather Joe’s family and their experiences. Because of the actions of Jim Cody, we’ve had many years of inspiration and joy with our soft spoken yet full of life family member.
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The Cody Family ages 1917
Father: James Cody – age 42,
Mother: Florence – age 33,
Children: James age 7, William age 5, and Cecilia 9 months.
According to Halifax Relief Commission Claim, the James Cody family had lived in Halifax all their lives up to December 6, 1917.
