Walter O'Neill

HAMPSTEAD, N.H. — Walter O'Neill, 87, of Hampstead, N.H. passed away Sunday, March 23, 2008 at the Parkland Medical Center, Derry, N.H.

He was born in Boston and was the son of the late Thomas and Annie F. (Kelly) O'Neill. Walter was raised and educated in Malden. He owned and operated the former O'Neill Oil Service Company in Malden and the former Pennywise Oil Company in Atkinson, N.H.

He was a World War II veteran and served with the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. During his service with the Army he was in the tank division and during his service with the Navy he was on the U.S.S. Archerfish Submarine.

He was a Commander and Past Commander of the American Legion Post 210 of Saugus, a member of the Knights of Pythias of Malden, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Walter loved music and loved to sing. He was an accomplished Irish Tenor and sang in church choirs and local choral groups and was a warm and wonderful family man.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Bertha "Betty" (Burke) O'Neill; a son, Walter O'Neill Jr. and his wife Vikki of Independence, Mo.; daughters, Kathleen R. Meaney of Hampstead, N.H. and Ohio, Judith A. Perry of Hampstead, N.H. and Peggy Racicot and her husband Doctor David Racicot of Suffolk, Va.; sister, Mildred Lalime of Norwalk, Conn. There are 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Thomas and Richard O'Neill and father-in-law of the late James Perry.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends called on Thursday, March 27, 2008 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Route 121A, Plaistow, N.H. His funeral will be held on Friday at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Anne's Church, Emerson Avenue, Hampstead, N.H. Burial will take place in West Hampstead Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472.