NATICK: Thomas A. O’Neil, Sr., age 77, of Natick, died early Monday morning, August 20, 2012, after a two year battle with lung cancer. He was the beloved husband of Molly (O’Keefe) O’Neil for 52 years.
Tom was born in Brookline on August 26, 1934, a son of the late James E. and Mary D. (Fay) O’Neil. Tom was a graduate of Boston College High School, Boston College, and Boston State College. He and Molly settled in Natick to raise their family while Tom taught mathematics in the Hopkinton and Wellesley School Systems.
A sergeant in the US Army Reserves from 1957 – 1964, Tom was also active in Natick Town Politics and had served on the School Committee and Board of Selectmen.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by their children, Thomas A. O’Neil, Jr. and wife Karen of Framingham, Mary A. Wallace and husband Bill of No. Attleboro, and Daniel P. O’Neil and wife Lydia of Round Rock, TX; his cherished grandchildren, Tom and Tyler O’Neil of Framingham, Elizabeth, Jake, and Carolyn Wallace of No. Attleboro, and Macklin and Arden O’Neil of Round Rock, TX; his siblings, Mary F. Mahoney of Framingham, Dr. James E. O’Neil and wife Pat of Norwood, Elinor Bowers of Green Harbors, and Jeane Ann Bowers of Marshfield; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Dr. Michael and Barbara Fornes of San Diego, CA, Philip and Janet Ryan of Naperville, IL, and Kevin and Carolyn O’Keefe of Brighton, MI; and many devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Special gratitude and love is extended to Timothy J. Ernst, MD, and the entire staffs of Charles River Oncology and the MetroWest Medical Center (Leonard Morse Hospital) in Natick.
His funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Natick, on Friday, Aug. 24th at 9:00a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick, at 10:00a.m. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery. Visiting hours will be Thursday 5 – 8p.m.
Donations may be made in Tom’s memory to the American Red Cross Blood Services, New England Region, 180 Rustcraft Road, Suite 115, Dedham, MA 02026.