CORY JEFFREY CONNELL

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CORY JEFFREY CONNELL Peacefully on Sunday, September 7, 2008 surrounded by his family our brave soldier Cory fought his last battle and passed away at age 34. Left to mourn his passing are his parents Rene (Denise) Connell and Joan (Ray) Wardekker, his brothers Brad (Robyn) and Tim Connell, nephews Tyler, Nickolas and niece Acadia Connell. He also leaves behind his grandparents Bill and Irene Tanchak, his best friend Uncle William Mosioner, his step grandparents Rita and Leon Le Comte and Wilhelmina Wardekker along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Cory will be greatly missed by Suzi, Toni and Lizzy the family pets along with honorary pallbearer Barry Hopman. He was predeceased by his grandmother Lorraine Connell. Cory was born on August 2, 1974 in Winnipeg. He graduated from Transcona Collegiate in 1994. He tried to further his education and attended the University of Winnipeg and Applied Multi Media. At age 5 he had an accident which damaged his lungs. He persevered always proving his doctors wrong with each battle he fought. In 1991 at age 17 he received a double lung transplant in Toronto. His lungs rejected in 1995 and he was placed back on the donor waiting list. On July 4, 1997 he was fortunate to receive a new left lung at the Health Sciences Centre. Cory was a Trivia master. He was knowledgeable and an expert on all subjects from history, business, science etc. You name it and he had the answer for you. He was the best armchair coach around. Hockey and football were sports he studied relentlessly. He enjoyed watching all sports especially the Olympics. In his childhood years he bowled with the Transcona YBC. In 1983 he won the high single. He also had the joy of bowling in the 1985 Provincials. Cory loved spending time with his family and the family pets. He worried about them all. His eyes would light up when he was able to spend time with his brothers and nephew Tyler. He looked forward to his talks and discussions he had with Uncle Willie and Baba and Gido. His sense of humour and love of life is an inspiration to everyone that knew him. His feisty spirit will remain with us and those that were touched by his drive and determination to continue fighting the battles. Our hero leaves volumes and volumes of medical data for those who have yet to fight their battle. We hope the information he left behind will be a benefit to them. With all the pain he endured he never complained he just complied. Throughout the years there were so many who helped Cory through his troubled times. There are so many to list. Please know you all touched Cory's heart and we are so grateful. To the staff on GH6 at HSC, thanks for all the love, support and compassion you gave to Cory and us. Everyone at the Respiratory and Pain Clinics thank you. Dr. Z. Bschouty, you kept fighting the battles with Cory. Words cannot express our heartfelt gratitude to you. You were a friend to him when he needed one. Thanks to all who sat with him and visited. We would also like to thank the Winnipeg Free Press for establishing the Chance for Cory fund and everyone who generously donated the funds and resources that made Cory's first transplant possible. As per Cory's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held. Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Tribute to Cory on Friday, September 12 at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Winnipeg. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in Cory's memory can be made to The Winnipeg Humane Society or Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter. VICHNAYA PAM'YAT CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 10, 2008