James Thomas Kane 79, a longtime Whitefish area resident passed away of natural causes Friday, June 23, 2006, at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

He was born Sept. 29, 1926, in New York City, the son of James and Catherine Kane. James was raised in the New York area and entered the U.S. Navy during World War II, and served as a fire controlman 1st class until his honorable discharge in 1946.

As a child he started making deliveries for a company in the fur trade. The owner of the Fur Trading Co., Mr. Jack Abrams, taught James the art of the sewing of furs together into garments. He also shined shoes and delivered the Saturday Evening Post.

In 1961, he purchased Soundview Shell Gas Station on one of the busiest streets in the Bronx. In 1972, after 11 years in the Bronx, he packed up the family and moved to Bozeman, and then to Whitefish where he purchased Frenchys Chinese Gardens in May 1973. In 1974, that landmark burned to the ground. In 1975, he built the Shangri-La Supper Club. In 1988, a second business, Par 3 on 93, was started and opened in 1989. In 1992, the businesses were sold and he concentrated on the golf course. He retired in 2005.

He enjoyed golf, watching athletic events, and as a young man was given a tryout with the New York Knicks. He enjoyed the Knights of Columbus and visiting with the golfers in the pro shop.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Kathleen Holland; and a brother, Donal Kane.

He is survived by his wife, Eileen (after 56 years of marriage), at the family home in Whitefish; daughter, Deirdre Kane, in Kalispell; sons, James T. Kane Jr., in Southbridge, Mass., and Brian A. Kane in Whitefish; a brother, William G. Kane, in New Jersey; grandchildren, Maureen, Sean and Thomas in Southbridge, James serving in U.S. Marine Corps in South Carolina, and Austin and Kayden in Southbridge.

Viewing will be from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish. A Christian wake service will be at 7 p.m. today, also at the funeral home.

A Mass of the Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Charles Catholic Church in Whitefish, with the Rev. Pat Patton as celebrant. Burial will be afterward at a later time at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, N.Y.

Austin Funeral Home in Whitefish is in charge of arrangements.