Timothy Martin James, 56, of Portland, lost his courageous two year battle with cancer on February 11, 2013, with his family at his side.  He was born in Portland, Maine on December 24, 1956 the son of Philip William and Anita Martin James.   In 1975 he graduated from South Portland High School and continued his education at Northeastern University in Boston.  Tim's passion for food and the creation of different dishes to share with friends and family eventually led him to Southern Maine Community College in South Portland where he received an Associate in Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts with high honors. Tim worked in the restaurant business for many years including places such as Jonathan's and the Impastable Dreams restaurants in Ogunquit and the Galley in Falmouth.  His dream job was to one day work for the railroad.  Tim was fascinated with trains since a young boy and enjoyed reading about the history and technology of the rail system as well as traveling by train throughout the United States.   Tim finally realized his dream and was employed at Amtrak as a licensed onboard food service attendant since 2007 working the Boston—Washington—Richmond route.   The #179 and #190 trains were his favorites.   "The Big Apple," New York City, was a place Tim often visited.  He was drawn to the excitement of the city, seeing Broadway shows such as Chorus Line, sampling pastries at ethnic bakeries, and dining at Tavern on the Green in Central Park.  He treasured his visits with cousin Isabel and her husband Ron Schoenfeld and their family in Mamaroneck, NY as well as trips to Isabel's home on Prince Edward Island to visit with the rest of the MacDonald/Campbell cousins.  When visiting New York, Tim and cousin Clara MacDonald would meet up with Tim's brother Tom in Brooklyn and make their annual pilgrimage to Sammy's Jewish Rumanian Steak House for "heart attack on a platter" and a bill that would cause a heart attack! His favorite locale in Maine was Old Orchard Beach in York County.  He was introduced to the summer time culture of French Canadians and locals at a young age during the family's annual day trip to the Palace Playland.  The Pier, food vendors, and the amusement rides were all part of the attraction.  Tim especially loved the rides:  being turned upside down, twisted, and swirled…he would get off a ride with a grin on his face while the rest of the family would be queasy! Tim took great pride in his Portland home on Munjoy Hill.  He loved gardening and nurtured beautiful perennials, annuals, fruit trees and roses that decorated his yard.  His vegetable garden burst with tomatoes, eggplant and myriad other vegetables. Holiday traditions and rituals were important to Tim.  His annual 4th of July cookouts took place in his back yard which would be transformed into a festive setting with Chinese string lights and tiki lamps that lined the edge of his patio.  The aroma of steamed lobsters along with sausage, chicken, and burgers on the grill filled the air all in anticipation of walking up to the Promenade to watch the fireworks.  Thanksgiving dinner was no less festive with a dining room table that Hyacinth Bucket would envy.  Tim knew how to cook, serve and entertain with style! Tim's Christmas gatherings featured Christmas goose which was the pièce de résistance of a meal that included home-made tourtière (Canadian pork pie) and his famous "white trash pie" to balance things out. The most meaningful part of the evening was when Tim gathered family and friends around his beautifully decorated Christmas tree:  guests would be invited to light one of the many real candles clipped to the boughs and reflect upon what they were grateful for in their life.   Tim was passionate about every aspect of his life whether it was working, cooking, traveling, entertaining, gardening or his cats.  He often listened to Chopin, Sinatra, Streisand, Vicki Sue Robinson, Donna Summers, and the many artists of the disco era.   Tim's adventurous spirit and contagious giggle will always be remembered. Tim is survived by his mother, Anita of South Portland; brothers Thomas E. James of South Ft. Myers, Florida; Dennis P. James and wife Karen and their daughter Audrey of Cornish and son Evan Ouellette and his wife Renee of Jacksonville, NC; sisters Patricia K. (Patsy) and husband John W. Greene of Scarborough; and Nancy A. Cote of South Portland.  Tim was predeceased by his sister Sally A. James in 1959 and father Philip W. James in 2010.   Tim's family is most grateful for the kindness and compassion of all the staff at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough who took such good care of him and for all Tim's friends who meant so much to him.  Their love and support was truly appreciated. Graveside Services will be held on Saturday Feb. 23, at 10:00 a.m. in Calvary Cemetery. For online condolences go to; blaisandhayfuneralhome.com