NORWICH – John H. O’Neil, 79, a lifelong resident of Norwich, New York, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones on March 24, 2010.
John was born on July 31, 1930, the son of Grace R. O’Neil (Van Deusen) and Fred O’Neil, who predeceased him. He was also predeceased by four older brothers, Edward, James, Bernard, and William. Predeceasing him also were his in-laws, Marge and Carl Fern, Dorothy and Doris O’Neil, his twin infant daughters and a grandchild.
John is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary A. O’Neil; sons, Bernard (Tony), Timothy (Leslie), Kevin (Rick); and daughter, Karen (Steve). Also surviving are his grandchildren Erica, Amanda, Tiffany, Allison, Daniel, Caroline, and Jesse, plus step-grandchildren Scott, Kimberly, Caitlin, Karyn, and Dana. An aunt, Rita Fern, sister-in-law Dorothy O’Neil, brother-in-law Richard (Mary) Fern, and many nieces and nephews also survive.
John was employed at the National Bank and Trust Company of Norwich from 1949 until 1984, where he started in the mailroom and worked his way up to the position of Trust Officer. He attended Holy Cross, Bucknell University, and Northwestern University for various courses relation to banking. John graduate from St. Paul’s School in 1944 and from Norwich High School in 1948 as the president of his class. He was a lifetime member of St. Paul’s Church where he served as an usher and on the Finance Committee in later life. John served his community through his involvement in the Chenango County Fair Association as Treasurer for many years, Norwich Service Club, a volunteer with the Alert Hose Company, Elks Club 1922, and scouting in various capacities.
John enjoyed and became an avid camper, which his children continue to enjoy to this day. Parts of many summers were spent in the Adirondacks and at Bowman Lake. He was an avid stamp and coin collector, and was a Boston Red Sox fan. He dearly loved his pet cats. He was a major encouragement to his children to graduate from college and become independent.
Friends are invited to pay their respects at the Wilson Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 26. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Church on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m.
The family would like to send a heartfelt thanks to all of John’s care providers over the past few years at the Gilmour Health Care Facility. Thank you for your compassion and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Pearl and Everett Gilmour Health Care Facility. A special thanks to Marie Dykstra for making time for John each week as a friend and Eucharistic minister.
Condolences may be sent to John’s family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at: http://wilsonfh.com.