James William Oscar McConnell
A Beautiful Heart Lives Forever
Join us for
A Beautiful Life and Love
Oscar lived fully and with fun. And always Love
Announcing Oscarpalooza! And Jimboree!
A gathering of family and friends to rejoice
in a remarkable man
Join us on Saturday, July 20, between 12 and 4 pm at
The Barn
(Blueberry Hill Association Community Center)
34 Blueberry Hill, Wexford 15090
We will share stories, memories, and photos of James “Oscar” McConnell, who passed (was invited to a better party) on January 19, 2023.
Why two names?
His mom Edna (who had a great sense of humor and would bring Oscar the dog to the door sometimes when his friends would come by and ask for Oscar) would say
Well, he is a Gemini, so that must be it. I’m ok with whatever you call him, because you two need to be together”.
I asked him before and after we got married if he would like me to call him Jim, and he always said “No! I love being Oscar!” Meeting through one of his dear high school friends ensured that he was always Oscar to me.
We will celebrate his legacy of kindness, generosity, and humor, his beautiful heart, and how he touched the lives of so many people wherever he went, especially in Pittsburgh and Minneapolis.
We will enjoy some of his favorite foods and nonalcoholic drinks - BYOB if you want - and listen to his favorite music., just the way he wanted.
RSVP and contact information
Please let us know if you can attend the gathering by July 13, 2024. You can RSVP online by adding your name and email at the end of this site]
or by texting JoAnne Scalise McConnell or his wonderful sister, Peggy Meadows.
If you have any questions, or if you want to share a story or a photo of Jim/Oscar, please contact JoAnne or email her or Peggy Meadows.
JoAnne.Scalise at gmail.com
Mem3130 at aol.com
We look forward to seeing you and sharing our gratitude for
having Jim and Oscar in our lives.
Oscar and the best parade view
The Minnesota State Fair won't ever be the same, but we have a plan
Help us create a lasting tribute to
Jim ~ Oscar ~ James Oscar
• Oscar loved the Minnesota State Fair, and he visited multiple times a year. It was a fun tradition that started when we visited Minneapolis prior to our move.
• We want to honor his memory by donating a bench with his name on it to the “Great Minnesota Get Together!” at the Minnesota State fairgrounds, where he can watch over the fun and festivities, and especially the parade – we plan to get a yellow one so it can be placed on the parade route, hopefully under his favorite tree for parade watching.
• If you would like to help with the purchase of Oscar’s and Jim’s bench, you can contribute while at Oscarpalooza Jimboree, or anytime – and this is only to let you know you can share in creating more “Oscar” State Fair memories. Oscar would love it and he will have his own bench at the Fair! We take Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal too! You know Jim, and you know Oscar – he just wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and do what is best for them. So, no pressure.
• Any amount is appreciated, and we are grateful for your considering this.
• If we are unable to get the bench - we just learned the program is ending, but we have a contact! – any funds collected will go to three of his favorite organizations that we supported:
- Soldiers Angels – we adopted several soldiers over the years and kept in touch
- Caring and Sharing Hands (Twin Cities)
- Animal Friends
Jim will always be a part of the best memories. And so will Oscar
Always Loved
Jim and Dad
Birthdays were the best!
Fun with Towel Animals
One of his favorites
We started a cruise tradition of (me) taking a picture (of him) every night with our towel animals. He did it because it made me happy.
Always enjoying the Journey
The Ocean and Oscar
Beautiful Brilliance.
Lifelong friends
So many friends and fun times
He was always grateful.
Memories that last forever
Jim loved his family time at the beach
Stone Harbor and seas of smiles.
Love Is.
Jim and Jo. JoAnne and Oscar.
So amazing to be loved.
Please add your name if you plan to join us
We hope to see you there!
Copyright 2024