James O’Neil, 71
Dateline: Norton, MA
James “Shakes” O’Neil, 71, of Norton formerly of North Weymouth and Dorchester passed surrounded by his loving family, in the comfort of his home on Tuesday January 4, 2011. He was the beloved husband of Janyce “JR” (Rose) O’Neil, to whom he was wed on October 8, 1988.
Born in Boston, MA on August 2, 1939, he was a son of the late James F. and Jane E. (Tripp) O’Neil.
Jim grew up in the Dorchester section of Boston and was educated in Boston public schools. He was a 1957 graduate of Don Bosco High School and after serving his country in the United States Navy from 1959- 1961, he later graduated from Massasoit Community College in Brockton.
Prior to retiring, Mr. O’Neil worked for 8 years as a Postmaster for Chrysler Financial in Mansfield and had formerly been employed as a Liquor Representative for the Seagrams Distillers Co. in Westwood for 23 years.
Shakes was an active member of both the Mansfield and Norton VFW Posts. He was also a former member of the Weymouth Eagles and St. Kevin’s Emerald Knights in Dorchester.
He enjoyed traveling, socializing with friends and will always be remembered for his outgoing sense of humor. He was an avid New England sports fan, his favorite teams being the Red Sox and Patriots and he was also a member of the Red Sox Nation.
A resident of Norton for the past 12 years, he was a former longtime resident of North Weymouth and Dorchester, and while living in North Weymouth was a communicant of St. Jerome’s Church.
In addition to his beloved wife of 22 years, he is also survived by his devoted son Steven J. O’Neil and his wife Clare of Pembroke and daughters Christine Sullivan and her husband Michael of Milton and Elaine O’Neil, Dianne O’Neil and Julie Clark and her husband Gary all of Weymouth. The dear brother of Kathleen Sarkisian of California, Paul “Butch” O’Neil of Onset and Jane Graves and her husband William of Hampden, Shakes is also survived by his cherished 7 grandchildren, was the brother in law of John Rose, Jr. of Florida and Lynne Rose of Quincy, and also leaves behind his best friends Gary “Pickles” Pineo, Patches and Jet.
Funeral services, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Monday January 10th at 11:00 A.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home 19 Clapp St. (Off Route 140, Taunton Ave.) Norton. Burial will follow at 1:15 P.M. at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday January 9th from 5-8 P.M. at the Norton Memorial Funeral Home.
Due to the limitation of flowers allowed at the National Cemetery, Jim’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to Vista Care Hospice 2 Willow St. Southborough, MA 01772 or the Red Sox Foundation 4 Yawkey Way Boston, MA 02215.
For additional information please visit www.nortonmemorial.com