O'Connell, James (Jamie)
May 17, 2012Jamie passed away in the Muckross Ward of Kerry General Hospital. Jamie was born in Aghort, the Glen on 19th April 1987 and had two brothers and one sister. He attended at Glen national school until the age of fourteen. A highly-intelligent man with a big brain and a big pair of hands, he used both of these gifts well. He had a degree in so many things-but the most important one was in common sense. As a young lad he started off labouring, mostly in the Ballinskelligs area and because there was no transport, he used to stay in the house where the work was.
After a while he bought a scooter so he could travel to and from the Glen. Over the years he worked hard for various contractors and became a very popular foreman who was very fair and kind to his men. He was a very hard worker and sis not know the meaning of the word retirement. He became a farmer on his retirement so that he would not be idle and this work kept him fit and healthy. On his own, he built many houses from foundation up, including his own family home. Nothing was impossible to Jamie. He was a great man for recycling, never understanding why people wasted anything. In Harty's Hall in Dungegan, he met Katie Cremin and she was to become the love of his life.
They married on 29th April, 1961 and had recently celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Their baby Mary Josephine died shortly after birth. Catherine was born next and then James, Patrick and Shelia came along. Jamie advised them as best he could and was proud of all of them. Jamie always thought about the welfare of his neighbours and helped them in every possible way. He was full of wit and humour and saw the fun side in everything. He made friends with people from far and near. He was also a comedian and entertainer and he was always full of tricks. He had various hobbies and interests and had a fascination with politics. He was a staunch supporter of Fianna Fáil al his life and was proud of it but his greatest passion was football. He played with the Glen team as a young lad, then with Skellig Rangers. He was a member of the FCA all his life and was very proud of his various achievements, having won many trophies. He loved to fish or go out on boats and going to regattas was one of his favourite summer pastimes. He loved music, song and dance. He was a great set dancer and waltzer and was dancing up until very recently. He and Katie loved to socialise. He flew to London for the first time when he was in his early 70s for he was always fascinated at seeing new things, new places and technology.
A deeply religious man, Jamie recited the rosary every single night and never missed Mass. He took up the offertory collection for years and did various repair jobs in the church too. He was predeceased by his brother John and sister Mary Ann. People came from far and near and across seas to the wake which was held for the two days at his son James' residence. Jamie is survived by his wife Katie, daughters Catherine and Shelia, sons James and Patrick, sons-in-law Tony Curran and John Sugrue, Kim, grandchildren Katie, Kerriean, Cathal, Róisin, Andy, Siún, nieces, nephews, brother Brendan (Birmingham), sisters-in-law Mary and Tessie Cremin and brother-in-law Jerome O'Connor. Month's Mind Mass for Jamie O'Connell will be in St. Michael's Church, Ballinskelligs at 11am on Saturday June 2nd.
(Text courtesy of Kerry's Eye 17/05/12) Tweet
