James “Jim” Concannon, 96, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2022 one week before his 97 th birthday. Jim was born on October 30, 1925 in Ballinamona, Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland, to the late Patrick and Margaret (Cosgrove) Concannon. Devotion to family, hard work in his professions, his faith and service to others were the cornerstones of his life.

Jim arrived in the United States on April 8, 1949 at the age of 24 to his late aunt, Mary Cosgrove Lavery of Park Rd, West Hartford, where he would spend the next 72 years. Jim was a proud U.S. Army and Korean War Veteran serving in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1956. Jim earned one of the highest Army Military Awards, the Combat Infantryman Badge for fighting active ground combat in the battle of Inchon. He also earned the Army of Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Medal from the Republic of Korea.

Upon returning from the Korean war, Jim served as a West Hartford Firefighter for over 26 years. He considered his service in the US Army and as a firefighter his proudest accomplishments. He also worked part-time in the Printing Center for the Travelers Insurance Company for over 40 years.

Jim is predeceased by his brothers, Tim Concannon and John Concannon, and sisters Mary Egan and Margaret Kyne. He will be deeply missed by his sister, Delia D’Alesandris, husband, Robert, sister-in-law, Elizabeth Concannon, and sister Ellie Kennedy. Jim leaves several loving nieces, nephews, and cousins in America, Ireland, and Canada. He is survived by his nephews, John Concannon and his wife, Barbara of Rocky Hill, Bill Concannon and his wife, Claudia of Greenwich, his nieces, Margaret Concannon and lifetime friend, Robbin Adair of Maine, Lisa Rosano and her husband, Mike of West Hartford, Susan Sousa and her husband, Paul of Cromwell. Jim also leaves behind great niece Kristin Harris and husband Christopher and children Teddy and Dylan; great niece Molly Denihan, and husband Conor and children Campbell, Emma Kate, Conor Jr., and Walter; great nephew William Concannon Jr. and wife Moira and daughter Maggie; great niece Lauren Flynn and husband Sean; great nephew John Rosano; great nieces Abby and Stephanie Sousa; and, great nephew, Nathan Sousa. Jim was a loving brother, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. His family was everything to him.

Jim lived in West Hartford since coming to this country and was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mark the Evangelist Church/St. Gianna Parish in West Hartford. He was a life member of the Irish American Club and Knights of Columbus. His greatest enjoyment was being with family at all the gatherings. He enjoyed watching sports especially football and baseball and loved going to the Irish Festivals in the Catskills and Hunter Mountain.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Gianna Parish, 1088 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The family will be forever grateful for the unending care and kindness given to Jim from Cyndy and Jane and the staff at the Holiday Retirement Community and Richard and all the staff at Hughes Health and Rehabilitation.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 10:00 a.m. at St. Gianna Parish at St. Mark the Evangelist Church, 467 Quaker Lane South, West Hartford. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, 200 Whitman Avenue, West Hartford, with full military honors. To view a livestream of the Funeral Mass please see the Photos and Video section of Jim's webpage or you can view at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/1696956214