John Patrick O'NEILL

1926 - 2021

O'NEILL, John Patrick (Age 94) August 13, 1926 - April 2, 2021 John Patrick O'Neill was born in Deer Lodge , MT. in 1926 to parents Ann and Joseph O'Neill. He was preceded in death by his siblings Delores, Eileen, Joseph and Michael. He is survived by his sister JoAnn O'Neill . J. Pat was also preceded in death by his sons Kevin Patrick O'Neill and Shane Michael O'Neill. He is survived by his wife Theresa (Tess), his children Patty O'Neill Pritchard (Scott), Peggy O'Neill, Beth O'Neill Long (Bill), John O'Neill (Michelle), Annie O'Neill, his 23 grandchildren, 35 great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. During his youth, Pat and family lived in Deer Lodge, Superior, and Missoula, Montana and then moved to Mt. Vernon, WA. and later to Spokane in the early 1940s . J. Pat attended Gonzaga Preparatory High School and graduated at age 16 in 1943. He soon enlisted into the United States Army Air Corps and began pilot training. (Corporal with Company A 597th Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion, Fort Lewis, WA.) The war was coming to an end during his training and he was then stationed in Japan, where he served two years before returning to Spokane . J. Pat studied at Eastern Washington University on the G.I. Bill and received a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts . He met his future wife, Tess, in 1949 and they were married on December 2nd, 1950 in Spokane. Pat and Tess were married over 70 years. In his early career, J. Pat worked in sales for various companies. Then, in 1968, the father of seven obtained his real estate license and began building a successful career in Spokane, eventually owning his own brokerage firm, J. Pat O'Neill Realty, with four offices serving the Spokane region. He also owned and operated a chain of local restaurants called 'O'Neill's Homestyle Hamburgers' in the late '70s - '80s. J. Pat O'Neill retired from real estate in 1988. He was a loyal family man, often attending family and school events in support of his many children and grandchildren throughout the years. He was soft- spoken and well- read. Pat enjoyed reading the daily newspaper, studying his family history, and keeping up on the latest news- especially his favorite team, the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He had a beautiful singing voice and made his first musical appearance on the local radio in Montana (circa 1932) at age 6 , when he sang Frank Sinatra's 'When I Take My Sugar To Tea ' live on the air . He always loved an old-fashioned family sing-along, and in his younger adult years, sang and performed with Spokane's Barber Shop Quartet, with wife Tess always nearby, harmonizing with The Sweet Adelines. If you ever saw Pat O'Neill walking and whistling down the street, he'd have given you a nod and a smile, and he may have wanted to leave you with this Irish blessing: "May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door." If you were lucky enough to be one of his children or grandchildren, he'd give you a special blessing at night by making the sign of the cross upon your forehead. J. Pat O'Neill wouldn't have asked for a big fanfare to celebrate his own life - but that's exactly what he deserves - a parade for the patriarch, a song for the ages, ribbons and banners waved for his love of family and humanity. So let's tip our hats to this great man, and give him a final salute for a life well-lived. Rest In Peace, John Patrick O'Neill. May you be welcomed by your ancestors, and your dearly departed sons Shane and Kevin, along with a beautiful choir of angels - into the Heavenly Kingdom of God. A private family service will be held at Sacred Heart Church April 28, 2021 officiated by Fr. Kevin Codd and will be invitation only. The Mass will be live-streamed at 11am at SHParishSpokane.org In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Rockwood Foundation or your local Salvation Army.