Reverend Allan House O'Neil

O'NEIL, Reverend Allan House The Reverend Allan House O'Neil, Rector Emeritus of St. John's Episcopal Church in West Hartford, a priest who wanted to be remembered as one who "did what he could" entered into his eternal life on Thursday (December 7, 2006) at the Hughes Home in West Hartford. He was 81. Born in Barre, VT, son of the late Mildred House and Brooks Emerson O'Neil. He is survived by his wife, of 55 years, Ruth Kayser O'Neil, and their two sons, Allan House O'Neil, II of Los Angeles, CA and Brooks Gregory O'Neil and his wife, Patricia, of Edina, Minnesota. Also surviving are three nephews, Roderick, Peter, and Gregory; a niece, Cynthia, Thomas K. Sager; and eight grandchildren, Taylor, Charles, Kaitlin, Patrick, Chelsea, Tucker, Meghan, and Michael. He was predeceased by his brother, Howard B. O'Neil and his wife, Elaine. Mr. O'Neil was Rector of St. John's from 1975 until 1990. This was a transition time for the national church and Mr. O'Neil cultivated a friendlier and more welcoming parish at St. John's during his tenure. He oversaw the initiation of the Episcopal Church's new prayer book in 1979 and facilitated much broader inclusion of lay members, including women, in the administration of the parish and worship services. In 1980 he went on sabbatical to Auckland, New Zealand to work with The Reverend Peter Beck in his inner city ministry. He also led a major capital and renovation project for the church's physical structure in the early 1980s. While Mr. O'Neil enjoyed 15 wonderful years at St. John's, many of the highpoints of his life occurred while he was rector at St. Andrews, Meriden, where he served from 1960-1975. During those years he was at the forefront of the ecumenical movement, worked tirelessly for the cause of the poor and the homeless, and brought his ministry to the broader community as well as his parish. Originally from Montpelier, VT, Mr. O'Neil attended the University of New Hampshire. His studies were interrupted by service overseas in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he returned to UNH where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. Following graduation, Mr. O'Neil accepted a job working in computers for Raytheon in Cambridge, MA. While in Cambridge, he met and married the former Ruth Kayser, who was working for American Airlines at the time. Rather than computers, at Raytheon Mr. O'Neil found himself involved in the problems of people with whom he was working. He wanted to help people relate well with each other. Recognizing he needed a framework and some training to adequately address people's needs, he left Raytheon and began studying for the ministry at The Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA. Upon becoming ordained, Mr. O'Neil served as a curate in Springfield, OH and as rector of St. James church in Piqua, OH. The O'Neil's were called to Meriden in 1960. In Meriden, a town dominated by Roman Catholics, Mr. O'Neil established an ecumenical council to further the cause of understanding between churches. In May 1964, O'Neil opened the doors of St. Andrews to Richard Cardinal Cushing, the Roman Catholic leader of the Boston Archdiocese. This was the first time a Roman Catholic prelate left his prelature and preached in a Protestant parish. Due to the message of his ministry, the O'Neils traveled around the world on sabbatical. In 1973, while in Rome, the couple had an audience with Pope Paul VI, where they presented the pontiff with a silver chalice, made by the International Silver Company of Meriden, engraved with the words, "that we all may be one." They also went to Istanbul where they met the Patriarch of Constantinople. Beyond the cause of ecumenism, Mr. O'Neil was supportive of the needs of the poor and disadvantaged. On August 28, 1963 he and a small group of other clergy from Meriden attended the Jobs and Freedom march in Washington D.C. during which Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream," speech. In 1968 he also became the legal guardian for Thomas K. Sager, a member of the parish who had lost both of his parents to illness. In addition to his duties at the church, Mr. O'Neil was a vital member of the Greater Meriden community and served as Chairman of the School Board, Chaplain to the local police department and the Connecticut State Police, and was a director of Meriden Hospital. He also served as Chaplain to the Curtis Home, which provided services to homeless children and elderly persons. Mr. O'Neil was an accomplished preacher, celebrated mass with great feeling and loved classical church music. While in Meriden, he convinced Ralph Valentine, instructor of music at Choate Rosemary Hall, to become organist and choirmaster at St. Andrews. The two formed a marvelous partnership that continued during O'Neil's entire tenure in West Hartford. Sunday services consisted of compelling preaching and glorious selections from the world's greatest composers. Married for 55 years, Allan and Ruth also formed a wonderful duo and together served the needs of the parish, the community, their friends and their family. Mr. O'Neil's ashes will be interred in the Cloister garden at St. John's, a tradition he started during his tenure as rector there. A memorial service will be held on December 16th at 11:30 a.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Ave. West Hartford. Presiding will be the Right Reverend Clarence Coleridge, retired Bishop of Connecticut, The Right Reverend Kirk Smith, Bishop of Arizona, and the Reverend Joseph Pace, Rector of St. John's. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in memory of the deceased, to the American Cancer Society, 538 Preston Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450 or to St. John's Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT 06119. The James T. Pratt Funeral Service, Wethersfield is entrusted with the arrangements.