James "Jim" Evans O'Neill died Sunday at his home in Fall River, surrounded by his family, after a long battle with cancer. He was 73.
Jim was born in Fall River, MA the son of Evelyn (Olsen) Lemire of Fall River, MA and William O'Neill, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, but spent a portion of his childhood in Florida, a region for which he always held great affection. After returning, he remained in Fall River throughout his life. After graduating from Diman Regional Vocational H.S. he began work as a machinist until the opening of BCC. A member of the very first graduating class, Jim decided to continue his education at Bridgewater State College. He went on to receive both a BA in Education and a Master's degree in Instructional Media.
He worked for the Fall River School Department from 1969 until his retirement in 2003. For his entire career he was an active member of local and national teaching associations - FREA, MTA and the NEA. He began teaching by combining his two careers, in the machine shop at Talbot Middle School. In 1978 Jim transferred to the instructional Media/Photography Dept. of the brand new BMC Durfee High School. From 1994-2003 he was a Media Technology Instructor, and worked on the launch of Fall River Educational TV (FRED TV.) His contributions to that program were so valued by both students and colleagues that the school is planning to name a room in the renovated suite in his honor. Jim was very proud of his students' accomplishments, many of whom have gone on to be working professionals in photography, cinematography and both TV and movie production, all over the country.
Jim was very active in the Fall River community and enjoyed doing charity work. He was a longtime member and officer in the Fall River Art Assn., and served on the Board of the Kennedy Donovan Center. Through his affiliation with FRED TV Jim worked, with Citizens for Citizens, on Operation Christmas every year. Though not a musician himself, his support of musical family members led him to serve several terms on the Board of Directors of the Greater Fall River Symphony Orchestra; in which both his wife and daughter performed. His passion for trains led Jim to the
Old Colony & Fall River Railroad Museum in 1988. A Board member there as well, Jim also served as VP for the last four years. If you drove by Battleship Cove on a summer weekend, you would find Jim at "The Train," welcoming visitors.
A lifelong avid golfer, he also loved fishing, boating and everything about the ocean. Jim was a great fan of all our Boston sports teams. Though it may have been in a hotel bar in Los Angeles, he was able to see the Red Sox win a World Series in his lifetime!
Jim was happiest when combining his two true passions, food and travel. Whether he was enjoying a great pasta with a glass of wine in Boston's North End, seared Fois Gras on a baguette in a Paris bistro or a pint in an English pub, Jim was a foodie long before the term was coined. He loved to share his knowledge with friends and family and was also an excellent cook.
Jim is survived by his family. His wife of 50 years, Elizabeth (Rego) O'Neill of Fall River, and children, Ann O'Neill currently of this city, and William (Bill) O'Neill and his wife Traci of Grey, ME. Also his beloved grandson Jacob O'Neill, son of Bill and Beth O'Neill, of Raymond, ME. His sister, Jane (Lemire) Halkiotis of Fort Meyers Beach, Florida and her children, and many cousins who live throughout the U.S.
Memorial Mass in celebration of Jim's life to be held on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 11:00am in Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover St., Fall River, MA. In lieu of flowers, family will provide information at the service on charitable donations that can be made in Jim's name.
Arrangements are under the direction of the MANUEL ROGERS & SONS FUNERAL HOME INC. www.rogersfuneral.com.