CORNELIUS KENNY O'NEILL

Cornelius Kenny O'Neill was born on June 19, 1922, in Yorba Linda, Ca. He passed away on Saturday, November 17, 2012. Although his first name was Cornelius,he was known to everyone as Corney. He was raised in Coalinga. In 1942, he joined the United States Army Air Corp. He was stationed in Rattlesden, England as a co-pilot of a B-17. During his tour he earned the European African American Middle Eastern Service Metal, seven air metals, seven battle stars and was promoted to First Lt. before being discharged on July 4, 1945. After the war, Corney returned to Coalinga, where he discovered Donnette Gardiol, the love of his life, living right across the street. Many people remember Corney as the owner of Gardiol Inc. He purchased the business in 1974 and retired in 1984. He expanded to offices in Taft and Bakersfield providing jobs to 224 employees. At times it would peak to 400 employees. Many local high school graduates and college students remember their first job or supplementing the funding of their college educations through their jobs at Gardiol Inc. Corney was an avid supporter of community sports and schools through his donations. He served ten years on the Coalinga School Board. He donated equipment to help decorate the community Christmas tree each year and was proud to have built the clock tower on the City Mall. In 2004, he was honored for his dedicated community and humanitarian service by Project Coalinga. Of all of his accomplishments he was most proud of receiving his Engineering Degree at California State University, Fresno at the age of 85. He is survived by Donnette, his wife of 64 years; his four children, Connie Preheim and her husband Steve of Bakersfield, Debbie O'Neill of Ankeny, Ia., Kevin O'Neill and his wife Jean of Bakersfield, and Steve O'Neill and his wife Carrie of Salt Lake City, Ut.; his nine grandchildren, his six greatgrandchildren; and another on the way. A Memorial Service will be held at Saint Paul's Catholic Church in Coalinga on Saturday, November 24, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. In Lieu of flowers, Remembrances may be made to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. You may mail donations to, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777 New York, NY 10163-4777: www.michaeljfox.org NEPTUNE SOCIETY OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA 1154 West Shaw Avenue Fresno, California (559)222-7764