James P. O'Connell

James Patrick O’Connell, 50, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, June 14th, 2023. He was a beloved son, brother, and uncle.
James was born on August 25th, 1972, and was the 10th of 11 children born to Richard and Bridget O’Connell. He grew up in a large and loving family, and he was close with each of his 10 siblings, Cathleen, Eileen, Mary, Richie, Jackie, Noreen, Michael, John, Colleen, and Kerry. James had a wonderful relationship with his 25 nieces and nephews, who will forever remember his infamous “slappy machine” and his quirky jokes.
James grew up in Valley Stream, New York, and lived there until he moved to North Carolina in 2019. He built a life for himself in North Carolina and made some great friends in the area.
James loved animals, whether he was watching them on YouTube or playing with his siblings’ pets. He loved his dog nephew Snoopy like he was his own.
James was a big NY Mets and Rangers fan, and he loved music. True to his character, he passed away on the date the Rangers won the Stanley Cup in ‘94, surrounded by family members telling funny stories about his life, while a U2 song played in the background.
James was preceded in death by his father, Richard V. O’Connell, whom he is now trading jokes with in Heaven.
You could always count on James for a laugh and a good time. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.