Happy 32nd birthday, JP. I'll raise a glass of gin in your honour today. Miss you more than ever xxxxxx
James Connolly (21 Dec 1991 - 19 Oct 2020)
On the 21st of December 1991 our beautiful boy came into the world weighing 6Ibs and 8oz – he came known to us all as JP
From the moment he could move around under his own steam he would follow his sister Jen everywhere. They played together endlessly. One of their favourite games was to re-enact their favourite Disney films. At the time this was The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Jen of course got the starring role and James was delegated to all the other parts. He took her instruction well, of which there were many because he just loved to play.
When Jen was at nursery he would play with Thomas the Tank Engine and he had so many of the trains. Or he’d race up and down the hallway on his car, which at 2 years old he could turn on a dime at the end of the hall and race back again.
In 1994 he went to nursery, Stepping Stones, 3 mornings a week. When it was time to go to primary school, he was very excited. On his first day at school he went up to his teacher and introduced himself. I’m not so sure the excitement of school lasted throughout his secondary school though!
James always wanted to achieve and do the best that he could. When he didn’t feel that he was receiving a good education at the 6th form in his secondary school, he researched his options and approached St Brendan’s 6th Form College. He excelled there and achieved 4 A Levels, 2 with an A and 2 with a B Grade.
He passed his driving test first time and was a very competent driver. Well from what I could see between my fingers.
James learned to play the Saxophone during his secondary school years and reached a Grade 4 with Merit.
From there he went to Sheffield University and obtained his degree in East Asia Studies.
His first job from Uni was for the Civil Service in London. He has worked in various departments and I know he enjoyed the diversity and challenges that this work gave him.
Throughout his life, James made many friends and that included Craig with whom he became engaged.
This biography is by far too short, too short because we could talk endlessly about the time we had with him and too short because his story should not have ended at such a young age.
Our intelligent, funny, witty son is gone and our hearts are forever broken.
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