Patrick James O'Neil

1953 - 2025

Patrick James O'Neil was born in Bishop in January of 1953 and passed away in Bishop on October 31, 2025. Halloween was also the birthday of his mother, Marion Partridge O'Neil. Pat is descended from two Owens Valley pioneering families on his mom's side: the Partridge and Gish families, making Pat a 4th generation Inyo resident. Both families established large ranches in the valley south of Bishop; the Partridge Ranch remained in the family until 1971. Pat grew up spending lots of great times on that ranch with his huge family, many of whom still live in the valley. The reunions were always such fun and loud with everyone talking all at once.
His dad, Jack O'Neil, was a police officer for the Bishop Police Department and then became a California Highway Patrolman. He was first stationed in Los Angeles County, and the family moved to Compton for a couple of years when Pat was very young. They next moved to Crescent City for a year. They finally had their wish when Jack was transferred to Bishop where Pat and his brother, Mike, finished their education by graduating from Bishop High.
Soon after graduation, both boys joined the Bishop Volunteer Fire Department where his dad and so many of his uncles and cousins volunteered. He was a fire fighter with this organization for 53 years, rising to the rank of Captain, Interim Fire Chief (twice), and Assistant Fire Chief. The fire station became his home away from home. It was his life, and service to the community was his calling. For newly recruited firemen, Pat was a great role model showing patience, knowledge, and basic instincts toward firefighting. He was instrumental in getting the fire training center built east of Bishop. You could either find him at the fire station or working in his beautiful garden at home where he was an expert in growing flowers, corn, and zucchini. All of his friends were blessed when they received his zucchini bread which was his mom's recipe.
Patrick also worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 27 Years. He enjoyed the out of doors, especially hiking in the mountains and exploring the region. He enjoyed being with his family especially his nephew Adam and niece Katie who he helped raise once their dad, Mike, passed away.
He is pre-deceased by grandparents Charles and Lena Partridge; grandparents John and Leona O'Neil; parents Jack and Marion O'Neil; brother Michael O'Neil; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in his large extended family.
Patrick is survived by his partner and best friend, Sherry Dishion; nephew Adam O'Neil (wife Lauren and their children Shea and Patrick); niece Katie Phariss (husband Joshua and their children Matthew and Jenna); sister-in-law Cindy O'Neil; and numerous cousins.
His funeral will be at the Bishop Presbyterian Church, 585 N. Main St., Bishop on Friday, November 14, 2025 at 11 a.m. This is the church that his family had attended for generations.
In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the Bishop Volunteer Fire Department.