Paul David O'Neil

Paul David O'Neil "Big Otis", 68, died peacefully on June 21, 2024, at his home in Shippenville, after a long battle with MS. Paul was born on June 2, 1956, in Trenton, New Jersey and was the oldest of 3 sons born to Paul and Dorothy O'Neil.
On November 22, 1980, he was married to the love of his life, Barbara Smith (O'Neil), who preceded him in death in 2016.
Paul graduated from Lawrenceville Area High School in 1973. In 1977, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Westminster College.
While at Westminster, he led the offensive line down the field where he proudly sported the number 76. In 1977, Paul earned the great honor as an All-American Tackle where he led the team to win back-to-back national championships. Not only was Paul talented in football but equally as dynamic in baseball. Later, he enjoyed playing competitive softball in the region.
He was employed by Keystone Area School District for his entire career starting out as an elementary teacher before moving to the high school where he developed a curriculum for their driver education program being the only teacher in the state that could issue their PA driver's license. He was well loved by his students who often wrote him letters and thanked him for teaching them how to drive. While at Keystone, he became the football team's offensive line coach. Paul's passion for the sport was something he always wanted to pass onto the upcoming youth.
Paul loved all things outdoors including hunting, fishing, and gardening. Paul's garden and the work put into it was something he admired greatly and enjoyed showing others. He made sure that everyone left with an abundance of fruits and vegetables and always believed it comes back to you 10-fold but often time for Paul it came back 20-fold. He was also a wine maker and a self-proclaimed "best cook" always trying something new for the literal crowds that would gather in his kitchen. After being diagnosed with MS at retirement, he found healing when he tapped into his creative side with pottery. Through this medium, he dazzled people with his clay sculptures and pottery that reflected his life in the outdoors. Despite his large stature, he was able to train his hands to be gentle and precise to work the clay into brilliant mugs, bowls and vases. When telling others his secret, he would generally say, "Just let the clay play." He was a member in the Red Brick Artist's Cooperative. He later partnered with a non-profit organization in Mars, PA which supplied him with metals that he used in some of his glazes. Those pieces were sold and the proceeds were donated to help clean up PA streams. You could always find Paul at local shows and shops displaying his creative works of art.
Paul is survived by his son Paul Ryan O'Neil and his wife Holly of New York City, NY, his daughter Kelly Siegel, her husband Travis and three granddaughters, Noelle, Scarlett and Isla Siegel of Clarion, PA. He is further survived by his brothers, Michael O'Neil and his wife Sandy of Waretown, NJ, Thomas O'Neil and his wife Lori of Titusville, NJ, a brother-in-law Stephen Smith of Quarryville, Pa two sister-in-laws Lynda Thrush and her husband Allan of Mechanicsburg, PA and Deborah Hostetter and her husband Jerry of Rockville, MD as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant son Sean Patrick O'Neil.
Family and Friends will be received at the Haskell House on July 26th, 2024, at 4pm for a Celebration of Life.
Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home in Clarion.
Friends and family may send online condolences, memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting www.goblefh.net.