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James Daniel Connors

‘Jimmy,’ ‘JC,’ ‘Duke,’ ‘Coach,’ ‘Nutsy Fagan’

James Daniel Connors, a longtime Fredonia resident, died May 24, 2017 after trying very hard not to. Jim spent many months fighting a long illness that eventually was bigger than his Irish spirit.

He leaves behind to remember him his children, Kathleen, Kevin (Beth), John (Lisa) of Buffalo and Patrick (Rob) of San Francisco, as well as his second family, Lynn Delevan, with whom he shared nearly the last 30 years, and her children, Kelly (Patrick) of Syracuse, NY, Rob (Tamarah) of Huntersville, NC, and Jennifer of Dunkirk, NY; his grandchildren Brigid Connors, Meegan and Ryder Yerico, and Madelynn Delevan. Also surviving is his sister Pat Rechin of Rocky River, OH, and the entire Rechin clan to whom he was just Unc.

Jim was a Navy veteran and served as a cryptogropher and a Vietnamese linguist. He was proud of his assignment to the NSA, where his language skills were put to use during the Vietnam War.

Born in Buffalo, Jim attended St. Josephás Collegiate High School and Canisius College. Jim moved to Fredonia, NY after retirement, and became a member of the Fredonia State University business department and had various assignments with FSU athletics. While in Fredonia, he and some friends started Red, White and Blues, a festival that brought him much pleasure. Jim and Lynn sold their snow shovels and moved south in 2012.

Funeral services will be private and a big party will be scheduled to celebrate the life of this very cool guy. Slainte!