Connor James Gengler

With deepest sorrow, we announce that our sweet boy, Connor James Gengler, age 5, passed away after a heroic battle against complications of his NEMO deficiency. He passed away at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bloomberg Children’s Center on July 12, 2023. Those who knew Connor were touched by his light and joy. He had a magnanimous personality that was unwavering and unavoidable. Connor beat to his own drum. He loved being a “Ninja” and playing video games, had the cutest dance moves, loved animals and stuffies, made silly sound effects, loved to move, and shared a love of the outdoors with his parents. He loved to cuddle and read books or tell popcorn stories. He also loved the color green, and anything associated with it including Rocky from Paw Patrol, Yoda and his green light saber, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Luigi, mint, cucumbers, lime bubbly water, and the Grinch. He advocated fiercely for himself and fully embraced the world and all that was good in it. Although his medical journey was very trying, he handled very difficult emotions by harnessing childhood in the most magical form. He taught those around him the beauty of living in the moment. Connor will be missed every single day by his father, Ryan Gengler, mother, Courtney Gengler, grandparents, Kenneth Blanchard and Margaret Caldwell and, Keith and Kristen Gengler, great grandmothers, Grace Caldwell, Elizabeth Blanchard, and Karen Gengler, his loving aunts, uncle, and cousins, and many other family members and friends. We know Connor is now comfortable and at peace. We will love and miss you forever, our Sweet Boy. To the Depths of My Core (Written by Courtney Gengler) My dear sweet boy, as I sit here and write, My mind is reeling, my chest is too tight. Thinking how we are struck in this sad, scary dream And wishing and hoping it’s not what it seems. It’s hard to fathom this path is right While your body and mind are snuggled in tight. I know you are peaceful, much more than before. As Mommy, I know that’s important for sure. I love you no matter what, always, you see. And I’m terrified of the permanence that will be. To miss you running and laughing once more Always love you deep down to the depths of my core. I love you, I long for you so very much To feel butterfly fingers on my palm with one touch. To feel your nose nuzzled softly on mine. To hear your voice ring “Mommy” so kind. And longing to see those soft baby blues To embrace you and cuddle you all that I choose. I love you forever my sweet baby boy. You are my heart, my sunshine, my joy. In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) Ways to Give | Immune Deficiency Foundation (primaryimmune.org)

Connor James Gengler

October 20, 2017 - July 12, 2023