A proud father first, hard-headed, goofball, talented, intelligent
Jimmy was born on Mother’s Day, the second of three siblings. “He was perfect with chubby cheeks, blond hair, blue eyes, and a rosy Irish face full of freckles,” his sister, Becky, said. His charming personality, wit, and sweetness won over everyone he met, even the doctors and nurses who cared for him toward the end of his life. He was funny, and quick to make others laugh. Even as a child, Jimmy’s emotions ran deep-no mistaking how he felt or why.
As a little boy, he was rarely without his blue blankie, keeping it tucked away long after he no longer needed it. Summers meant family trips to Hampton Beach, where Jimmy boogie boarded, played arcade games on the boardwalk, ate fried dough, and stayed up later than usual with his siblings. Fair-skinned and sunburned every year, his love for the ocean never faded. After his younger brother, Jesse, was born, when Jimmy was ten, those beach trips took on new meaning when seen through younger eyes.
Being outside was a priority for Jimmy. He loved hiking in the woods, riding dirt bikes, watching motocross, and being near the ocean. Motocross, in particular, was a lifelong passion—one that brought him trophies, broken bones, and a deep sense of joy. He also played hockey, snowboarded, followed live music across many genres, and enjoyed long, stubborn debates about politics. He also relished being home, having quiet time.
Jimmy attended technical high school and became a licensed electrician, proud of his meticulous skills. He loved taking things apart and putting them back together—bikes, cars, tools—anything mechanical. He built a career he truly enjoyed, forming close bonds with coworkers and helping his family with projects whenever he could, never expecting anything in return.
Of all the roles he held in life, being a father meant the most. Jimmy’s twin children, James and Joelle, now 13, were his greatest joy and proudest accomplishment. He loved watching them explore the world. Jimmy encouraged curiosity and learning and believed less screen time was better. He filled their lives with his presence and affection, calling them his “little turkeys.” He wanted them to know that they were deeply loved. Jimmy never married, but was with his high school sweetheart, Heather, for ten years, later starting his family with Jacinda, an exceptional woman and loving mother.
Faith was an important part of Jimmy’s inner life. He considered himself a devout Christian. A tattoo on his left arm—Jesus with three crosses—reflected his faith and remains meaningful to his family, who see it as a symbol of what Jimmy believed and hoped for.
Jimmy lived with substance use disorder for more than fifteen years, struggling first with opioids and later with alcohol, believing he could overcome it on his own. Addiction changed him at times, creating distance and pain, but it never erased who he truly was. In his final months, the physical toll of addiction took away the work he loved and, ultimately, his life. His father, who passed in 2016, never saw the sober son he longed for.
At his core, Jimmy was generous and compassionate, always giving without judgment. He understood hardship and had empathy for those often overlooked or criticized. His life was so much more than his addiction. He was a son, a brother, a friend, and most of all, a proud and loving father. He is loved beyond measure and deeply missed.
Jimmy’s sister, Becky McConnell, provided the information for this narrative.
May 13, 1984–September 29, 2023-Age 39
Portrait Artist: Clayton Conner
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
