Michael B. O'Neil Sr.

1942 - 2016

Michael Brian O'Neil, Sr. ("Doc") born March 7th, 1942 passed away early Sunday morning, on September 25th, due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. Doc - a father, grandfather, entrepreneur, mentor, basketball coach, and friend, - had a profound impact on many. He taught people to count their blessings, give even when they don't have, always help people in need, look past race and religion, to love unconditionally. Doc's classrooms included regular family meetings, corporate training rooms, and basketball and tennis courts around the world. After earning his undergraduate degree from Marist College, Doc spent five years as a Marist Brother. He was later awarded a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron. After short stints as Assistant Dean of Students at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Massachusetts and Dean of Students at Mount St. Mary's College in Newburgh, New York, Doc founded The O'Neil Group, a management consulting firm specializing in team building and leadership development, and Real Estate Training Center, a multi-state real estate licensing business. At his professional peak, Doc developed leaders for Xerox, ADP, Texaco and McDonalds, among others. He made it a point to teach people about life through his work, spreading the word of his own 'Arrow Theory' to tens of thousands of professionals. Some of Doc's best moments occurred while playing and coaching. He had a relentless will to win. He was an avid tennis player his entire life, amassing championships from the Town and City Recreation Centers and Powelton Club in Newburgh, NY to GT Bray Park in Bradenton, FL. If there was a lunchtime basketball game to be played, he was there. He became world championship manager and player of the No Bats Baseball Club and later for O'Bats, a growing global baseball phenomenon. Doc spent years coaching basketball at the Newburgh Jewish Community Center, St. Joseph's School, and Simsbury High School in Connecticut, as well as coaching around the world for Sports for Understanding. Doc didn't leave anyone behind, as he is still very much with us all. He is survived by his former spouse and lifelong best friend Mary Ann, his five children, Sean, Scott and his wife Lisa, Michael, Jr. and his wife Wendy, Matt and his wife Stacy, and Shannon, twelve grandchildren, and his brothers Louis and Terence, and sisters Linda Regan and Susan Merling. A mass in celebration of Doc's life will be on Monday, October 17th at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Roman Catholic Church, 775 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY. An open reception will be held from 12:00p-3:00p on the same day at The Grandview, 176 Rinaldi Blvd., Poughkeepsie, NY. To honor Doc's true love of coaching and impacting people, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Peace Players International (https://www.peaceplayersintl.org), uniting communities in conflict through sport, teaching leadership and conflict resolution. An online guestbook is available at: www.KalasFuneralHomes.com