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Daniel F. O'Neil

FUNERAL HOME

Willwerscheid Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Grand Avenue Chapel

1167 Grand Avenue

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Daniel O'Neil Obituary

Age 75 Of St. Paul Passed on Christmas Eve, 2011 surrounded by family. Survived by brother, Richard (Susan); nieces, Kathleen and Eleanor; Aunt Rosalie Swanda; and cousins. Danny was the owner of Nakashian-O'Neil in downtown St. Paul. Visitation 5-8 PM Wednesday at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Private Service and interment. 651-228-1006

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pioneer Press on Dec. 27, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel O'Neil

16 Entries

bradley hanson

October 20, 2024

I was a draprey installer for him with gene bartel back 1982 very well person!

Gloria

June 13, 2012

Dick...Sorry to hear of your brother's passing. I only talked to him once over 40 years ago, and he seemed like a really nice person. The other condolences just confirm this and his amazing talent.

Mary Jo Stangl

May 7, 2012

Occasionaly on a Friday errant walk, I'd stop to visit Danny, who loved to regale me (and anyone else in the store at the time) with stories of my step-mother Sally Sweet. Back-in-the day! Now, an era gone by. My condolences to his dear family and friends.

sally Kreher Haik

March 23, 2012

Receive my condolances--followed Danny since my cousin Bill Nakasian died. Enjoyed having him look after my home. I sent a birthday card in December not knowing his death December 24.

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Pat Kackman

January 23, 2012

I found Danny O'Neil to be genteel, courteous, chatty, humorous and a lover of beauty and quality.
I loved sharing with family members and friends the Christmas tradition of visiting his shop and
admiring the tree and ornaments and making our selections. I am going to miss him and the antici-
pation of my annual shopping stop. My prayers are with his family and friends.

Susan Finn

January 15, 2012

Danny, He was a very talented man and did beautiful work. He was a lot of fun; he had wonderful stores to tell and always had something to laugh about. I loved his ornaments I am grateful I had the opportunity to speak to him just days before he passed. He will be sorely missed and I'll always treasure my memories of him.

Kathryn Vento

January 14, 2012

All my life, my family, like so many other Minnesota families, has looked forward to a Christmas time visit to St. Paul's Nakashian-O'Neil with great excitement.

His antique shop was a wondrous experience- magical, exquisite, elegant and beautiful- with an air of exotic mystery throughout. I adored talking with him, listening to his stories about the history of downtown St. Paul, his cats- "his little boy and his little girl"- and about his shop. His taste was exquisite, his manner delightful and warm, and he had a wonderfully wry wit with yes, a mischevious twinkle in his eye.

I imagine he is using that keen eye, innate sense of style and design, and reverence for all that is old and beautiful to make Heaven even lovelier than it already is. (And I don't think they have much choice in that matter. He'll make it happen.)

Thank you for everything you've given us. Much love to you, your family and friends. I'll miss you.

Teresa Moreland

January 13, 2012

Danny became my dear friend,for 34years he gave me the most amazing stories and incredible ornaments a person could ever collect!!!! He was an a treasure in my life. My thoughts and prayers are with your family..He will be forever missed.

Carole Nelson Douglas

January 8, 2012

Many condolences to Danny's family and friends. Danny was a brilliant interior designer with notable wit and warmth. He would present an exquisite little Christmas tree decoration with the same glee as he would a fabulous antique find. He's left many people wonderful souvenirs and memories of him. As a mutual friend said, he was St. Paul's Noel Coward, a master of high taste and classic wit. The city and his friends and family have lost a unique creative personality.

Carole Nelson Douglas and Sam Douglas

January 2, 2012

I will miss such interesting conversations with Danny. He always knew what was happening in St Paul and it was fascinating. He had a wonderful droll way of telling his stories. Surely a fun Irish wit. Loved to be in the beautiful space he had created, expecially at Christmas it was just a delight. Our trips to St Paul will be a little saddened by his passing. Who will wear his Pierre Cardin suit as well as he did. LaVonne Mountain Minneapolis

Teresa (Terry) Walker

December 28, 2011

My deepest sympathy to Richard, Susan, Rosalie, and all of Danny's family. I was shocked and saddened to learn of Danny's death. He was a unique, talented, and delightful man, a good friend, and someone who truly made the world a little more beautiful, one place at a time. I am quite sure that heaven will soon experience a little "sprucing up." I can only smile as I imagine his arrival there, his discerning eye passing over everything, spotting something that he deemed to be slightly less than perfect, and then that quiet but firm statement, "Well, THIS will have to go..." He will be missed!

December 28, 2011

What a loss to all those who were fortunate enough to know Danny O'Neil.
His beautiful store, his endless stories,his wonderful Irish wit, Danny
will be sorely missed. Nancy McCue

James Lee

December 27, 2011

Mr. O'Neil was a true gentleman. I loved to just sit and talk with him and enjoy his insights. I never knew where the conversation thread would lead, but I knew it would be intriguing. We talked about old homes, Daytons furniture clearance items, and end up talking about his beloved Latin Mass. I will cherish these visits for they were priceless. I would guess about now Mr. O'Neil has poured a fresh cup of coffee in his china cup and carefully placed it on the saucer and he is probably sitting down with God for a visit. Mr.O'Neil, please save me a spot so someday I too may join the conversation. Thank you for everything.
May God grant his comfort to the family, and may God bless Danny's memory.

December 27, 2011

I had so looked forward to my annual visit to the shop to buy treasured Christmas ornaments during my visit to St. Paul for the holiday. I was shocked to see the note about Danny's passing on the door when I arrived and to see the array of lovely items in the windows. A totally unique store that brought me many delights. Anne E. in Connecticut

To my old friend and colleague Danny O'Neil

Lance Fraser

December 27, 2011

I will miss my old friend of 25 years. I first stepped into the awesome world of Nakashian O'Neil in 1987 as a beginning antique dealer and soon found my true calling. The objects present were superb and of such rarity and quality. My taste for the great English and French pieces of the 18th century was established while visiting this unique shop. I wish I had kept each item but alas I had to re sell in order to make my living. What a legacy. Danny was such fun to talk to about the old St Paul elite and all the stories....I will miss him very much.
Sadly, I suspect there will never be another shop quite like this one again here in the twin cities. All the best to Danny's family and kin!!
Lance Fraser

December 27, 2011

I will always treasure the memories Nakashian-O'Neil brought to my Holiday! I just had visited with Danny on Thursday regarding some of the great finds over the years.
Nancy Hernke

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