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Jack O'Neill
1923 - 2017
Jack O'Neill
1923 - 2017
Obituary
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BORN
1923
DIED
2017
Jack O'Neill Obituary
O’Neill’s family said in a statement that he died of natural causes while surrounded by family at his oceanfront home in Santa Cruz, California.
O’Neill grew up surfing and was a Navy pilot during World War II. He opened his first surf shop on San Francisco's Ocean Beach in 1952. He wanted to create a product that would help him and fellow surfers deal with the cold ocean in Northern California. Surfers at the time wore sweaters sprayed with an oily water sealant, O’Neill said in an interview, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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He experimented with neoprene, a type of synthetic rubber used by the U.S. Navy, to produce his first foam rubber vests. O'Neill opened a second surf shop in Santa Cruz, California, in 1959 and introduced a nylon jersey lining for his suits in the 1960s. By 1970, he was producing his first full wetsuit.
O’Neill was a colorful personality who was known for his innovative promotional ideas. He wore a black eye patch over his left eye and sported a full beard. He lost his eye in a surfing accident.
During the 1980s, the O’Neill brand became the world's largest recreational wetsuit maker. They were known for their slogan, “It’s always summer on the inside.” O’Neill was also a skilled aviator and sailor who invented the sand sailer, a sailboat on wheels that glides on sand.
O’Neill started O’Neill Sea Odyssey, a marine and environmental education program for children. The program has taken nearly 100,000 children to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary aboard his 65-foot research catamaran to learn about the ocean. He told The Associated Press the program was his greatest achievement.
“The ocean is alive, and we've got to take care of it,” he said. “There is no doubt in my mind that the O'Neill Sea Odyssey is the best thing I've ever done.”
O’Neill and his wife, Marjorie, who preceded him in death in 1973, raised six children.
41 Entries
Darlene Zamora
June 16, 2017
May Our Lord and Savior bless The Jack O'Neil Family during their time of great loss. Prayers for the family.
G. Freeman
June 12, 2017
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
June 11, 2017
Heartfelt condolences are extended to your family at this difficult time. Seek the love and support God provides to help you cope during this time - Psalms 29:11
Michael Lang
June 8, 2017
Dear MrJack O'Neil,
I surfed in trunks and visited your 41st store often. Dreaming of a new stick and a warm suit.I saved up enough for the suit but not the taxes.Luckily you and Shawn Thompson were their.You covered the taxes,gave me some wax and a leash.I'm a flat lander 100 miles away and you made me feel welcome on the east side. Thank you and I wish I would have wrote a Thank You note in 1978. My sincere condolences to all your family and loved ones. 3 suits later and I am still warm God Bless and enjoy the swells in Heaven.
All The Best,
Michael Lang
(Lodi,CA)
How you can show support
Willem Janssen
June 7, 2017
My condolences.
Mike Ferrari
June 7, 2017
Thanks Jack, you made growing up on Pleasure Point exciting with all your innovations.
Carlotta
June 6, 2017
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the O'Niell family and friends at this difficult time.
Reiner
June 6, 2017
A heart-felt salute to one of the last great American pioneers. Thank you for your innovations that have allowed me to enjoy glassy surf on cold winter mornings!
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."
- John Muir
Betty Armour-Fowler
June 6, 2017
My heartfelt prayers and condolences to the family of Jack O'Neill. Psalms 90:10 shows how he lived a long life of special mightiness from God. He accomplished a lot during his lifetime to help surfers and divers. Keep his many, many, many memories close in your hearts and minds and cherish them forever. May the comfort of God be with you all during this time of grief.
Robert Day
June 6, 2017
Surf In Peace Jack...
John D.
June 5, 2017
Norwegian saying:
'Go now you must, for no one shall stay in on place for too long or forever.
If you sit at a friends fire too long, love will be lost,-so go now and seek the ultimate fire.
Be content in knowing that the fire you instilled in those around will in return spread out and warm others"
Thanks Jack
Nancy Morgan
June 5, 2017
Rest in Paradise Mr. O'Neill. You will be forever missed but never forgotten.
June 5, 2017
So sorry to hear about your loss. May our heavenly father comfort you and your family at this most difficult time.
June 5, 2017
A great loss to the surfing and cold water community. I had the great fortune of surfing with him in front of his Santa Cruz home many times in the mid 1970s. One could surf leisurely then and simply enjoy the ocean experience. No cameras, no crowds, sharing waves. Before Jack and the wetsuit revolution, in the 1950s we in Southern California in the winter would go to the beach, build a fire, then surf for 30 minutes, and go back to the fire to get warm. His existence changed all that. God bless Jack and his family. Rest in peace looking at the ocean and riding waves.
Dan Olson
Diane Strauss
June 5, 2017
Bless his Soul! As a native born Santa Cruzan , Jack has been a Stable Fixture in my life! I will never forget one Halloween I took my son ( David) trick or treating at Pleasure Point and we came across Jack by his House At Pleasure Point , I looked at him and said "Happy Halloween " and he looked at my son Dressed as a pirate with a patch over his eye and said " nice costume" What a sweet hearted Man he was and will always be xo Godspeed Jack !!! Xo
Rose Duodu
June 5, 2017
Please except my condolences for the loss of a great inventor. John 5:28
Denis Johnston
June 5, 2017
Mahalo nui loa Jack for keeping me warm on those cold Cali days...
Susan Avny
June 5, 2017
Thank you Jack for all you've done for the environment, education, and water sports. I believe you'll be surfing in heaven almost nonstop! May your family be comforted by your lasting presence and the knowledge of a life well lived. May they follow in your footsteps and continue your legacy.
June 5, 2017
Im sorry for your loss. May God of all conforta and father of tender mercies vive you all strength and peaje of mine. Philippians 4:6,7
June 5, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
June 5, 2017
Mr O'Neill lived a long and very eventful life but not nearly as long enough because Our God put eternity in our hearts. May God give the family and friends comfort at this difficult time. God love you.
CMR
June 5, 2017
My condolences to all the family and friend's. In our knowing the thoughts God has towards all of us.. May these words give all comfort.. at this challenging
time. (Romans 15:13) . . .May the God who gives hope fill you with all joy and peace by your trusting in him. . .
June 5, 2017
Condolences to family and friends.
Scott Chamberland
June 5, 2017
Rest in Peace
June 5, 2017
My condolences to the O'Neill Family and friends for the loss of Jack. May you continue to be blessed with his memory and legacy and may your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times you shared together as you celebrate a life well lived and loved by many (John 6:40) ~ Linda, Queens, NY
Always Summer inside
bill manning
June 5, 2017
If your out in line up, wet but NOT COLD, thank Jack!
We will not see your kind again, Veteran, inventor, pilot, father, Surfer
Thanks Jack
Gary Brungardt
June 5, 2017
My condolences to the family. Death is so hard no matter the age. Remember the happy times to ease the pain, and may the God of all Comfort give you the help you need at this time.
June 5, 2017
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
devon rawn
June 5, 2017
RIP , Jack. You are and always will be remembered as well as known for keeping all surfers warm at Bay. Thanks for all you've done for surfing, and it was a pleasure meeting you in past.,
RIP, Devon Rawn
June 5, 2017
Sorry for your loss. May you draw comfort from the scripture at Ecclesiastes 9 : 5 that show your loved ones a resting in peace.
Chris Lamb
June 5, 2017
Rest easy Mr. O'Neill. May your spirit live oh through the industry you forged. Condolences to your family and friends.
Dinorah T de Leon
June 5, 2017
What a remarkable man and inventor. I am honored to have read his successful career. My sincere sympathy to his family and friends. May he Rest in Peace .
June 4, 2017
My sincere condolences to O'Neil children and other relevate .I am really sorry for your loss. He has left behind so many wonderful memories
may all continue to cherish his legacy.T.S
Peace
David Sane
June 4, 2017
Harry Simpson
June 4, 2017
Godspeed, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Fair winds and following seas sailor.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Lynn
June 4, 2017
May the God of all comfort be with the family during this difficult time.
Adrian Barnette
June 4, 2017
We'll miss you !
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