James Connor Grimard passed away on Saturday morning, June 14th, surrounded by his family. Three weeks earlier, he celebrated his 70th birthday with abandon, surrounded by a lifetime of friends and family.

He was born on May 20th,1955, the son of Louis and Jane Grimard in San Francisco, California. He and his younger brother Brian spent their youths roaming around Marin, California, playing baseball, swimming, delivering newspapers, and serving as altar boys. He attended Notre Dame High School in Riverside, California, where he competed as a wrestler, weightlifter, and cross-country runner, much to his children's disbelief. He attended the University of San Diego, earning a Bachelor of Science in accounting. His children better believed his stories about working in the cafeteria and charitably hauling leftovers back for his roommates or hiding kegs under his bed for his Phi Kappa Theta brothers. He proudly rocked a curly blonde fro throughout the 1970s.

He wiled away his 20s in Pasadena, California, where he helped lead a young adult group at St. Phillip's Catholic Church. That's when he met the love of his life, Celeste Bostick. She fell for him despite his unfortunate early-1980s mustache, clearly attracted to the strength of his character instead. Jim and Celeste married on September 15th, 1984, at St. Phillip's. He was a devoted husband and father to five children, who Jim and Celeste raised in Monrovia, California.

He supported his family and served his community as a Certified Public Accountant for more than 40 years. Jim founded Grimard & Associates in 2011 in Bonsall, California, where he worked alongside his wife and his sons, Christopher and Anthony. He loved scheming to help his clients keep as much of their hard-earned money as possible—legally, of course.

Always one to appreciate a good dad joke, Jim gloried in the goofy. He would plague his children with said jokes, even when they moved far away. Even at 70 years old, he still giggled at the Three Stooges. Jim was an animal whisperer, and every family dog and cat loved him best. He was a music lover, particularly country music. He'd toast the end of tax season by sitting in the front row at Stagecoach with family and friends.

Jim was a faithful Catholic who loved the Lord and strove to live his life as a testament to Him. Jim's faith inspired his consistent generosity—he would always be the first to give. He and Celeste found a home at Mission San Antonio de Pala on the Pala Reservation, in California, where he led confirmation classes.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Jane, and father, Louis. He is survived by his wife, Celeste, and their five children: Christopher and his wife, Charlie; Leslie, her husband, Stephen, and their four kids; Katherine; Patrick and his wife, Moriah, and their son; and Anthony. He is also survived by his brother Brian and his wife, Marcelle, and their three children. Thor, Jim's cat, is unwillingly left behind as well.

Jim is leaving behind a legacy of generosity, gentleness, and goodness. He will be dearly and terribly missed.

The wake will take place on Monday, June 23rd, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary, located at 333 N. Vine St., Fallbrook, California 92028. The rosary will begin at 4:30 p.m. A eulogy and speeches will take place between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 24th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Mission San Antonio De Pala, located at 11798 Pala Mission Road, Pala, California 92059. A reception will be held afterwards at the family home, located at 279 Shetland Hills West, Fallbrook, California, 92028.