James Steinmetz

James "Jim" Steinmetz, 34, died on Wednesday, August 14 at Yale-New Haven Hospital from injuries he sustained in a bicycle accident. Jim was born in Bridgeport on April 5, 1979, the son of William and Elaine (Guillemette) Steinmetz. He grew up in Monroe where he attended Stepney Elementary School, Chalk Hill Middle School and graduated from Masuk High School in 1998. A talented artist, he went on to graduate from Paier College of Art in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. He later earned an additional associate's degree in Digital Media from Gibbs College. A natural athlete, Jim had a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and in his younger years was an avid rollerblader. In recent years he began running, swimming and mountain biking. In the summer months, it was a familiar sight to see him swimming back and forth in the lake behind his parents' home. Recently he became a hobby woodworker, crafting furniture, ceramic tile chessboards and serving as the ever-accommodating handyman to his parents and sisters. Jim also had an important role as the "fun uncle" to his five nieces and nephews, taking them swimming, playing catch, and allowing them to hijack his digital devices.

In addition to his parents, Jim is survived by his sisters Kelly Bilodeau and her husband Paul of Swampscott, Ma, and Jody Field and her husband Michael of Monroe; his nieces and nephews, Carter and Morgan Bilodeau, and Veronica, Penelope and Dexter Field. He is also survived by his paternal grandmother Marguerite (Geng) Steinmetz, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Stephen's Church in Trumbull on Monday, August 19 at 10 a.m. A interment ceremony will follow at the Resurrection Cemetery, 188 South Main St. in Newtown.

His family will remember Jimmy as a kind and gentle soul. To honor his love of animals they ask that donations be made to the Humane Society in lieu of flowers.