Eugene Leo O'Neil

Eugene Leo O'Neil, 72, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died September 30, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family at his home in Madison. Gene will be remembered best for his love of dancing, gardening, pinochle and darts, high moral standards, tireless work ethic and a deep love for his wife and children. A citizen of Culpeper for nearly 40 years, he was active in community issues and performed volunteer work for Triad and the local Republican Party. He wrote a political column for the Culpeper StarExponent for many years. In 1985, he retired after more than 26 years of faithful service to the U.S. government. Throughout those years he and his wife raised four children on six continents, surviving earthquakes, military coups and the Revolution in Iran. He was born in Binghamton, New York, where he spent his early childhood on a farm. As a young man he served in the United States Navy as a communications technician after which he was employed by the New York Electric and Gas. After his government retirement Gene continued to work, first as a dispatcher for the Virginia State Police, then for the government contracting firm EDS and later Techcorps, Inc. until his final retirement in 2005. He is survived by his wife of more than 46 years, Elizabeth Hilker O'Neil of Madison; son, Mike O'Neil of Front Royal, daughter-in-law, Tammy O'Neil and their children, Jarah, Jacob, Michelle, Anthony and Sandra; daughter, Theresa Knight of Boston, Va., son-in-law, Jeff Knight and their children, Grace, Ian, Catherine and Pierce; daughter, Belinda Palmer of McLean, son-in-law, Jim Palmer and their children, Garrett and Rachel; daughter, Erin Herbig of Clifton, son-in-law, Dave Herbig and their daughter, Summer Gene; mother-in-law, Grace Hilker Cowles; brothers, James O'Neil of Rotterdam Junction, NY, Ernest O'Neil of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Richard O'Neil of Burlington, WVA and their families. Gene was preceded in death by his father, James O'Neil, mother, Mary O'Neil, sister, Ellen Marie and brothers, Michael and Martin O'Neil. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, at Found and Sons Fu-neral Chapel of Culpeper, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 4, at 2 p.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper with Father Michael Orlowsky officiating. Interment will follow at the Culpeper National Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 330 and VFW Post 2524. In addition to flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Hospice of the Rapidan, P.O. Box 1715, Culpeper, VA 22701. Arrangements by Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper.