John J. O'Neil, Sr.,90, died Sunday July 6th, 2008 at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. He was born in Somerville, MA on April 15th, 1918 a son of the late Michael and Gertrude O’Neil. Mr. O’Neil had resided in Lynn, MA for over 50 years until moving to Manchester in 1998. Mr. O’Neil was an attorney for the John J. O’Neil Law Firm in Lynn for over 45 years, and an insurance adjuster and manager for Wausau Insurance Company, and worked as a playground instructor in Stoneham during the depression. He graduated with honors from Stoneham High School in 1936 as the Vice President of his class, was awarded a scholarship to Boston University School of Journalism and Breadloaf Writers College in Vermont. He was a graduate of Northeastern University and Calvin Coolidge Law Schools, which he attended at night while working at General Electric during the day. Mr. O’Neil was acclaimed locally as well as nationally as a poet. His work was published almost weekly for two years in the Lynn Sunday Post. He wrote and published his first book of poetry, “Thoughts at Play” at age 15. At the same time he wrote for the Boston American Newspaper, as well as various periodicals and poetry magazines nationwide. Dr. Stidger of Boston University gave his book great radio praise on his Sunday readings program. His second book, “Dust of Kings” was finished and published at the age of 72, and still continues to be sold to this day. Mr. O’Neil was an inactive member of the North Shore Poet’s Forum and Massachusetts Poetry Society up until the time of his passing. He was a disabled veteran of World War II and served in the Third Air Force, was a life member of both the D.A.V. and AMVETS organizations. He was a volunteer at the Legal Neighborhood Services as well as both Union and Lynn Hospitals. Mr. O’Neil served as a scout Master of Troop 37 of Lynn and had attained the rank of Life Scout himself, on of the highest ranks of scouting. He was also the past President of the Broadway Men’s Club of Lynn and was well known in Civic affairs in the Wyoma Square area of Lynn during the 1940’s and 50’s.
Mr. O’Neil is survived by two sons, Bryan L. O’Neil and his wife Jane of Londonderry and John J. O’Neil, Jr. and his wife Mary of Windsor, VT; five grandchildren Erin, Tristan, Aidan, Amy and Amanda. He was predeceased by his brother Robert F. O’Neil.
Calling hours were held Tuesday, July 8th from 5-8 at the Peabody Funeral Home and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry. A funeral service was held Wednesday at 10 AM in the funeral home, with burial following in Pleasant View Cemetery, Londonderry.