Tony's Bistro chef from Cork who died on Mount Kilimanjaro had a 'zest for life', funeral hears
James O’Connor, from Whitechurch, died on his 40th birthday while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
A father of three who died on his 40th birthday while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania has been remembered at his funeral mass as a loving father, son and friend who had a “zest for life.”
James O’Connor, from Whitechurch in Co Cork, was 100m away from the summit when he suffered a heart attack on December 5.
His wife Grace told mourners at St Patrick’s Church in Whitechurch that she had shared an amazing life with James, who worked as a chef in Tony’s Bistro in Cork City.
“He was the love of my life. I first met James hanging out in coffee shops with friends. I thought he was so funny and kind. But he was nervous. I had to ask him out.
"Of course he said ‘yes.’ He told me afterwards that he got down on his knees and thanked God [that I had asked him out]. I always used to slag him over it.
"He put up with all of my ‘crazy’ and showed me love. We were crazy in love from day one."
Grace said that James loved being a father and the happiest man alive.
"He spent his days rushing home from work to us. His days off out the front playing ball with the kids. Anytime I wanted to see my Mam and Dad he would have drove from Cork to Limerick and to Kilkee. Three counties in one day. He wouldn’t stop going on about it!
"We shared many memories with our family. We went on hikes, forest walks and travelled to many countries together.
"He convinced us all as a family to do the Great Limerick run this summer. "He had great friends in the Limerick Running Club. They really supported James on his journey. We live in a beautiful neighbourhood where everyone knew James.”
Grace said that their children really enjoyed her husband’s days off and "lived" for his cooking.
“We are all going to have to live on takeaway now! All he wanted to do was to make the people around him happy. He was so committed to us his family, his siblings, nieces and nephews even his in-laws. The love he gave us was unconditional. He healed us and made everything better.
The couple’s youngest son, also called James, went to the altar and told some ‘Dad jokes’ as his father "loved laughter".
Nieces and nephews also paid heartfelt tributes to a man who had nicknames for all of them.
A close friend of the deceased, Gerry, said that it was an honour to be able to pay tribute to James.
He told mourners that every who knew James had a "comical" story to tell.
“It was always an adventure. I remember (when we were young) we were in Santa Ponsa and he was hoarse. His voice was gone. And I said we should go for an ice cream.
"Four hours later we came back from Magaluf and I had his name tattooed on my side. We both had our hair braided. No sign of any ice cream.
"That was the James we knew and loved. The other side to him was his compassion. I remember going to a United-Barcelona match. I was terrified of flying. My nan wasn’t long passed away. I had her miraculous medal and was sitting down the back just not coping.
"James came down and sat next to me and ordered two cokes and held my hand and stayed with me as the lads had their drinks. He could see I was struggling.
"It is with a heavy heart and a pain in my soul that we have to say goodbye to you. Even though he may be gone let us always find strength in the memories he gave us. The smiles he gave us.
He added that James had lived “two lives” in his short forty years on this earth.
Offertory gifts included porridge which James had every morning and a scone which was his treat on "cheat" day. Moisturiser was also brought to the altar with attendees laughing when they heard that James liked his "self-care".
Meanwhile, close to €39,000 was raised via a GoFundMe page set up to pay for the repatriation costs.
His friend, Regina Kennedy, said that James could never imagined that his journey to Mount Kilimanjaro was going to be his last trip.
She said that James, who lived in Dooradoyle in Limerick, “exuded positivity” and was a “wonderful husband” and a “super father.”
Mr O’Connor is survived by his wife and children, his siblings Jonathan, Lorraine, Caitriona, Michelle and Jordan. He is predeceased by his parents Kathleen and John.
His family say that James died “peacefully, while watching the sunrise on his birthday on Mount Kilimanjaro”.
“He will be forever missed and loved by his heartbroken wife and children, parents-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.”
Following the requiem mass James was laid to rest at St Catherine’s Cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.
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