It is with great sadness, disbelief and heavy hearts that we inform you Jimmy lost his short and courageous battle against cancer on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at L&M Hospital, surrounded by his wife, children and siblings at the age of only 57, just shy of his 58th birthday.
James Francis Urian of Preston (known as Jim, Jimbo, or Francis to loved ones and PeePee or Jimmy the B to others) was the son of the late Raymond J. and Jeanne (Gill) Urian. He was born April 24,1964 in New London.
Jimmy grew up in Groton, but made his home in Preston with his wife Dawn raising their children and their dogs. James and Dawn were married in August 1990 in Assonet, Massachusetts.
Jimmy was a member of the Laborers Local 547 in Groton. Before joining the union, he spent many years delivering oil for Andersen, Beauregard, Uncasville and Viking.
Jimmy had the gift of gab, knowing someone wherever we went. He thoroughly enjoyed spending the holidays with friends and family and planning what we were going to eat. He was very active and never one to sit still. You could find him hunting, riding dirt bikes, gardening, snowmobiling, archery shooting, riding his tractors (with grandkids), or watching the same movies over and over again. He was proud of the way he perfected his soupy recipe with his buddy Chuck (neither one of them being Italian). He enjoyed coffee on the weekends down at the store with his buddies. When his kids were growing up he was at every sporting event or activity either coaching or spectating. Whenever we went on vacation he could never fully relax, he would count the days until we went home. He loved being home doing his thing. Most of all, Jimmy enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and his dogs.
He will be forever loved and cherished by his wife, Dawn M. Urian of Preston; his children Kai-Leigh (Urian) and husband Matthew Palmer of Griswold and Justin and wife Morgan Urian of North Franklin. PopPop will be greatly missed by his six grandchildren Emmett James, Colton Harris, Hallie Blake, Charlotte Jane, Teagan Rose and Maria Estelle. He is survived by his two siblings; Jeanne and husband Tom Snow of Niantic and brother Robert and wife Claudia of East Hampton. Jimmy leaves behind his in-laws Lawrence and Linda Cabeceiras, brother in-law Dwaine and Patricia Cabeceiras, nieces, nephews and several cousins.
Calling hours will be held from 12 to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 2022 at Gagne Piechowski Funeral Home, 490 Voluntown Road, Jewett City. A celebration of life will immediately follow. at the Preston City Firehouse. For online condolences please go to www.gagnefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jimmy’s honor to the American Cancer Society or the Connecticut Humane Society. The family would like to thank Dr. Stephen Lattanzi and the staff at Smilow Cancer Center in Waterford.
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