July 6, 2007 – James Patrick Cockayne, age 21, was laid to rest in his hometown of New Hope, Pa., on Saturday, June 30.
Jamie, as he was known to his friends and family, was stabbed to death on St. John in the early morning hours of June 20. The St. John police are conducting an investigation into the murder; no suspects have been identified at this time.
He was born on May 14, 1986, in Morristown, N.J. He is survived by his parents, William and Jean Marie Cockayne of New Hope and a brother, Jeffrey Cockayne of Arlington, Va. He was the grandson of Edith and the late Arthur Cockayne of Deep River, Conn., and the late Jean and Pat Gilligan of Morristown. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins.
The memorial service in New Hope was attended by more than 500 people, including most of Jamie's classmates from the 2005 graduation class of New Hope/Solebury High School. He was remembered as a popular, outgoing individual with exceptional athletic ability. During high school, Jamie played basketball and lacrosse and was on the yearbook committee. However, Jamie's greatest passions were outdoor activities, including snowboarding, rock climbing, skateboarding and sailing.
Jamie and his family were avid sailors and traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Within the past year, he had completed the Professional Mariners Training Program at Chapman's School of Seamanship and had successfully passed his Coast Guard exam. Most recently, he had attended the U.S. Sailing School in Sarasota, Fla., and received his Small Boat Instructor's Certification. He had been offered a position at the Bitter End Yacht Club, an exclusive resort in Virgin Gorda, and was on St. John, in the U.S. Virgin Islands with his mother awaiting the final processing of his work papers when he was slain. Ironically, his final papers arrived at his New Hope resident the day that he was slain.
A memorial fund has been set up in his honor. Contributions can be sent to The James P. Cockayne Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 156, Buckingham, PA, 18912, U.S.A.
Jamie's family continues to encourage anyone with information about their son's murder to contact the local police department. "We will not rest until Jamie's killer has been brought to justice," said Mr. and Mrs. Cockayne.
