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Hugh R. "Dewey" O'Neil
Hugh R. "Dewey" O'Neil
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Hugh O'Neil Obituary
He was born in Manchester on Oct. 15, 1941, the son of Catherine (Thornton) O'Neil and Hugh R. O'Neil, the late, longtime editor of the Union Leader.
He was educated in the local school system, graduating from Bishop Bradley in 1959. He attended St. Mary's College in Halifax, Canada, and earned his bachelor's degree (by the skin of his teeth) from St. Anselm College in 1964.
He graduated from Officer Candidate School and served during the Vietnam War. During the war, at the ripe old age of 24, he led young men he referred to as "kids" as a Marine Corps engineer, alternatively building and blowing up bridges. He earned two Purple Hearts, and the pride he felt being a Marine was one he carried with him all his days.
Dewey was owner and operator of the Hugh R. O'Neil Real Estate Company for many years. In his 30 years of service, his gift of gab and persuasive ways helped him raise millions of dollars on behalf of Easter Seals. He was also involved in Catholic Charities as well as serving as the commander in chief of the now-defunct Bedford chapter of the IRA.
He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be greatly missed. His sense of humor is legendary to all who knew him, and has been passed down to at least two surviving generations.
Family members include his wife of 47 years, Joan (Thornton) O'Neil of Bedford; two sons, Hugh "DJ" O'Neil and wife Renee of San Francisco; Michael O'Neil of Lebanon; one daughter, Erin Hendrick and husband Greg of Newton, Mass.; four grandchildren, Finn and Macie O'Neil of San Francisco, Jack and Ryan Hendrick of Newton, Mass.; one sister, Mary Alice Venuto and husband Lou of Potomac, Md.; many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Thomas O'Neil in 2011.
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services: Calling hours at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North Street, will be Sunday, Jan. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, Jan. 7, at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Seton Church, Meetinghouse Road, Bedford. Burial with military honors will follow in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Easter Seals of New Hampshire, 555 Auburn St., Manchester 03103 or to the Santa Fund, care of the New Hampshire Union Leader, P.O. Box 9555, Manchester 03908.
To send a message of condolence, please go to lambertfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Brian Chadwick
January 14, 2013
We spent countless hours up on Hanover Hill playing sports. Dewey was one of our guys. A year ahead of me at Bradley. God speed Dewey til we meet again.
Richard Ferrin
January 8, 2013
Dear Joan,
Please accept my sincere sorrow for Dewey's passing. As a good friend of Tom's I knew how much Tom looked up to his older brother. And rightfully so.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Val Herrick
January 7, 2013
May this candle give peace to Dewey and his family.
Tara Thornton
January 7, 2013
Uncle Dewey, I spent a great deal of my youth at your home and the many memories I have of you are woven deeply in the fabric of my life. If ever I had second parents it has been you and Aunt Joan. You both have always been a comforting presence for me and I will miss you dearly.
With Love, Tara
I must add, your sense of humor was legendary but I also appreciated your considerate nature...you were, after all, the ONLY person to send me a sympathy card when Jerry Garcia passed away.
Sending love and prayers of comfort to Aunt Joan, DJ, Erin, Michael and their families.
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James Herrick
January 7, 2013
Our deepest condolences to Joan and all of Dewey's family and friends. Sincerely, Valerie and Jim Herrick
Clark & Anne Dumont
January 6, 2013
St. Patrick's Day will be missing one of its favorite mortal champions, but who has joined to lead the parade for eternity.
I will always remember Dewey with a smile that came from the twinkle of his eye and the awareness that he always knew more than he conveyed.
Please know of our thoughts and prayers. Here's to a life well lived.
January 6, 2013
My deepest condolences on the passing of Dewey to his family and may his dearly departed soul rest in piece in the house of the LORD this day.
John Gorski
Class of 61, HHHS
Olympia Washington
January 5, 2013
To the O'Neil Family,
Our condolences on the passing of Dewey? Since the first day I met Dewey at Bishop Bradley High School, he has always been a dear friend to me and to so many others. Dewey was a wonderful, caring and giving person. We will miss him at our class reunion meetings. I know there is a place for him in Heaven!
Lou and June Craig
Sarasota, Florida
PAUL LESSARD
January 5, 2013
SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO MRS O`NEIL & TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS. FIRST MET DEWEY IN `56, AT BBHS, THRU GRAD IN `59. WHAT A WONDERFUL PERSON. NEVER HEARD ANYONE SPEAK ILL OF DEWEY. VERY WELL LIKED BY ALL. WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN HIM AS A FRIEND IN LATER YEARS.
January 5, 2013
Dewey, you'll always be remebered as a great neighbor and friend, We'll miss talking about the Pats and the Sox. All our best to the family.
Love Kathy and Mike Manchini
Kent Hutchinson
January 5, 2013
Hi,
Condolence to you and your family
Another great BBHS 59 gone
Bob Grady
January 4, 2013
Dewey, the Marine Corp should have been proud to have you. You will be greatly missed. Bob Grady
January 4, 2013
So sorry to hear of his passing. Wayne and I will always remember the good times we shared during Little League baseball times in the '80s.
Carolyn & Wayne Whittaker from Hemet, CA formerly of Bedford.
January 4, 2013
Joan, DJ, Erin, Mike and Family, our deepest sympathy, Dewey's friendship was a blessing and his humor will be missed. Find strength in each other, our love and prayers. Roger and Hope Chrisman
Jerry & Arlene Rowan
January 4, 2013
Joanie, So sorry to hear of Deweys passing, He was one of a kind. May he rest in peace.
David Post
January 4, 2013
Joan, Randie and I are thinking of you and the family at this very difficult time and offer our sincere condolences
Bonnie Guevin
January 4, 2013
Hugh you will be missed. My heart and prayers go to Joan and the family during this difficult time.
john sullivan
January 4, 2013
Dewey I remember you from a long time ago at Bishop Bradley. I was in the class of 1957.
Semper fi brother Marine.
Steve MacDonald
January 4, 2013
We are all deeply saddened by the loss of a wonderful man. Thoughts and prayers go to Joan and the family.
don anderson
January 4, 2013
Joan....please accept Mary's and my profound sympathy. Dewey and I shared the same birth date. His Irish wit and charismatic personality brightened every room he entered...including a few visits here on Marco at Porky's. I am traveling in Kansas City this week and will be thinking about him often. I hope the light he brought to you and his family in all his goodness will help dry some of the tears you shed today so that all your smiles will come alive again soon when mention of his name and thoughts of his presence help to cheer all of us who knew Dewey and many more who may not have known him. Love and Prayers...DON ANDERSON
John F Kane
January 4, 2013
With a Flight of Angels...
Chick Bowers
January 4, 2013
Saddened to hear of Dewey 's passinglayed baseball with him and
Tom at Derryfield park .Quality person ,with a great sense of humor.
Rest in peace Dewey .
Chick Bowers
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