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Patrick O'Neill Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Patrick O'Neill
July 25, 2012
patsy and family
we are praying for you and your family. pat will be missed by all. he left everyone with great memories. he will be cherised by all who knew him.
with all our love and prayers,
kelli (pettitt) mercer and family.
Karen Clavier
July 22, 2012
Stacey I was so sorry to hear about your father's passing. If I would have known I would have attended the service. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Kathy Sakowski
July 19, 2012
Patsy and children, I am so sorry of your loss, my prayers are with you all
Stacey Bernard
July 18, 2012
Patrick Joseph O'Neill - Eulogy - July 17th, 2012
Last night, we sat in the kitchen attempting to write this eulogy. We started five times and stopped five times. We started again, trying to find the words to describe how we feel to be here without our dad. We still don't know. Losing our Dad is one of the most difficult things we have gone through. As we are standing here today, we realize how fortunate we were to have him as our Dad.
You see, we had a father for 67 years and have only been without a father for four days, so anything we say today must be understood as the words of someone only four days old. But still we will try.
Indeed, this trying—this effort to accomplish the seemingly impossible—is a gift we've received from our father.
He was the most tenacious person we knew. Ferocious, focused, and fueled by a need to be his own man which he accomplished in countless ways until the very end. To him, it wasn't “my way or the highway,” it was “my way or the my way.”
As young children, we did not understand our father at all—why he worked so hard, so late, and so much. It was only later, after we had kids of our own, that we understood. Regardless of the way he felt, Dad woke up every morning and went to work doing anything he had to do to provide for his family. He was a hardworking, strong, and loving gentleman. He loved us very much and was completely devoted to our mother. That being said, he was no saint and always up for a good time or a prank or two. Thank goodness our mother was so strong, because we don't know any other woman who could have survived him.
I've never met anyone as generous as the man we have come to celebrate today. He was always there to help anyone in need, even if it meant he had to do without.
One of our Dad's biggest obstacles in his life was his diabetes. He decided long ago that the doctors did not know what they were talking about and that he could handle his diabetes by himself….…that is, as long as he was in reach of a candy bar! He had to be the worst diabetic patient in history.
Dad's favorite holiday was Christmas! The phone calls began at 7am. He always made sure everyone came to his house first thing Christmas morning for eggs, toast, and coffee. The kids would separate the presents into piles covering the entire living room floor to make it easy to watch each person open their gifts. Santa started a family tradition many years ago when we all found twenty five one dollar bills crumbled at the bottom of our stockings. It was so fun watching everyone unfold their bills and joking that one got more than the other. The years that followed, everyone would anticipate getting the twenty five one dollar bills, only they came in many interesting places such as inside blown up balloons and taped to tops of boxes. Everyone always knew who Santa's favorite was though….because for some reason, Mom was always surprised to find crumbled 5's, 10's and 20's. Dad made sure every Christmas was special.
Another thing he always looked forward to was his annual New Years Eve Party. He prepared all year for his major fire work display. He loved watching the boys wrap the big scaffle …..it took them hours. When midnight struck he would just sit with a big smile and as my Mom would say, 'watch his money blow up in flames.' He was so proud and excited. After the excitement of the fireworks ended everyone came inside and the party would begin. Dad would eventually do his famous 'electronic robot dance' and then proceed to do his annual tumblesets across the kitchen floor. The night would always end with Dad & Henry rapping how the night was not going to end.
Many of his friends and family also will remember his love for playing cards! Spades was his all time favorite. Despite his ability to finagle his way to always win, his two daughters mastered the game to become the champs. Sorry Dad, you taught us too well.
Being the youngest, I was fortunate to receive a special kind of attention from my Dad. He was the person who brought me to my first day of Kindergarten and who I was so happy to see walk into all my penny parties at school. I mean, what Dad let's their daughter skip school to go fishing—Mine! He was the best. I enjoyed each and every fishing trip I had with you; even though you used me as a backboard sometimes to get the fish into the ice chest. I will cherish those days forever.
Our Dad's greatest love other than his family was his love for fishing. For the last 28 years, Dad has called Allen on a Friday evening and asked what time they were leaving Saturday morning. Dad always had his special fishing ponds which he referenced to with very unique names, known only to a few. He loved taking his family out fishing. Some kind of way, he always could catch the limit. He is a very talented fisherman and everyone—young and old-- loved fishing with him. Don't worry Dad, your secret spots are safe with us, only to be passed on to your grandchildren as you wished.
Our father's last days were not easy. Always used to being in control, he found it hard to concede to the body's imperfection and the growing need to depend on others for support. Always a giver, now he had to receive. Always the one in charge, now he was in the care of others.
No, our dad was not perfect, but who in this world is? Who? He was, however, we are happy to say, perfectly himself…a hardworker…a loving father, husband, grandfather…a true friend…and a man of great respect…and for that, we are forever grateful.
We could go on and on, but we will end with this……..
The love we have for Dad
Will never fade away.
We'll think of him, our special friend
Throughout each passing day.
We'll walk into the room
And see his empty chair;
Although we know he's resting,
We'll feel his presence there.
The memories of his laughter,
His warm and loving smile,
His eyes so full of happiness,
His heart that of a child.
Memories are forever
Be they laughter or of tears,
Memories we will treasure
Throughout all the forthcoming years.
We love you Dad.
How you can show support
Jody& Carol Campo
July 17, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Pamela Miceli
July 17, 2012
Stacey, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember how close you always were to your family and can only imagine how difficult this is for you. My thoughts are prayers are with you all.
Franklin Mooney
July 16, 2012
Mr Patrick J O'Neill, I never had the pleasure to me you but you raised a great and wonderful family; specifically your son Patrick Jr.
May God continue to bless your family.
July 16, 2012
Patsy,
I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss of Pat. I always enjoyed our Sunday pinochle games. May God bless you and carry you through these tough times. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Frank Brunet
[email protected]
FRANK J, ODDO JR
July 16, 2012
REST IN PEACE. MAY THE LIGHT SHINE ON YOU.MISS YOU ALREADY. BROTHER IN LAW IT AINT GOING TO BE THE SAME.I KNOW THE TROUT POPULATION IS GOING TO GROW NOW.IT AINT GOING TO BE THE SAME!!!!!!!!
Georganne Cook
July 16, 2012
I'm so very sorry for your loss! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Harriet O'Neill, Mele
July 16, 2012
I'll miss you little brother, and my heart just aches so much for you. Mom, Dad, and Jerry are happy though because you are with them. I love you and will continue to pray for your family everyday.
Teresa Chappetta Nugent
July 16, 2012
Patsy,
So sorry to hear about Pat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Godspeed!! Love Teresa
Barney Fussell
July 16, 2012
I was saddened to hear about Pat. We will keep him in our prayers.
Kathlyn Nolan
July 16, 2012
Patsy,
I am so sorry to hear about Pat, he was such a kind man. You, Pat and your family will be in my prayers.
Kathlyn Lamarque Nolan (Gagliano) & children
Ferdie and Annette
July 15, 2012
Patsy,
You know that both Pat and you have always had a very special place in our hearts. In this difficult time, we want you to know that we are here for you and your family. Pat will always still live through Stacey, Bubba, Michael and Tiffany and his grandchildren. We love you.
Gail Scaffidi
July 15, 2012
My prayers will be with you always and may our Lord Jesus Christ keep You close to His Heart.I ask for a healing of body mind and spirit according to God's most holy will for your family.
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