WORCESTER-Fr. Leo J. O’Neil, 76, of 1050 Main Street, formerly of 274 Main Street, Cherry Valley, died Saturday, February 26th in Saint Vincent Hospital after a short illness. He leaves 2 brothers, Daniel A. O’Neil of Thompson, CT and James E. O’Neil of Cherry Valley, 3 sisters, Mary B. O’Neil of Cherry Valley, Margaret H. Partenheimer of Leicester and Elizabeth A. Larson of Leicester, many nephews and nieces, many grand nephews and nieces.
He was born in Worcester the son of Leo A. and Margaret H. (Mulvey) O’Neil, graduated from St. Peter’s High School and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Anselm College in New Hampshire. Fr. O’Neil graduated from St. John’s Seminary in Boston and was ordained at the Cathedral of St. Paul in 1956, and served as associate pastor of Lady of the Lake Church, St. John’s Church, Blessed Sacrament Church, St. Ann’s and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Churches, St. Stephen’s, St. Brigid, St. Mary’s and Our Lady of the Rosary Churches from 1956 until 1976. In 1976 he was named pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Barre until 1980 and St. Patrick’s Church in Rutland from 1980 until 1983. He then served as associate pastor for St. John’s Church, Sister’s of Mercy, Motherhouse and Our Lady of Fatima Church from 1984 until 1989. Fr. O’Neil was then named Chaplain of the Worcester County Jail while in residence in St. Leo’s Church, Leominster from 1989 until 2000. He served as assistant pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Worcester from 2000 until 2003, and lived in residence at Our Lady of Rosary Church in Worcester from 2003 until his retirement. He enjoyed reading and traveling, especially to Cape Cod.
The funeral Mass is Wednesday, March 2nd at 10:30 AM in St. Joseph’s Church, 759 Main Street, Leicester. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Leicester. Calling hours are Tuesday, March 1st from 4:00 until 8:00 PM in the church, with a wake service at 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Retired Priest Fund, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA, 01609 or the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA, 01701. O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue is directing arrangements.