Paul William O'Neil
April 20, 1947 ~ February 20, 2015
Resided in:
Weaverville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Paul William O'Neil, Jr., PE a retired engineer, 67, of Weaverville, died on Friday, February 20, 2015, at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals.
Mr. O'Neil was born in Winchester, MA, on April 20, 1947, to Paul W. and Geraldine O'Neil. He attended public school in Winchester, and attended Harvard University, Boston College, and Georgia Tech University.
Mr. O'Neil was married in 1978 to Kathleen B. O'Neil, of Atlanta, GA. He worked for many years at the Southwest Florida Water Management District in Brooksville, FL, as Senior Regulation Advisor. He was a board member of the American Water Resources Association. He retired from SWFMD in 2013, and moved with his wife to Weaverville. He was a member of St. Eugene's Parish, Asheville.
Mr. O'Neil is survived by his loving family: wife, Kathleen; his two children, Kelly O'Neil, of Tampa, FL, and Erin O'Neil, of Louisville, KY; and his sisters, Nancy Brozek and husband John, of Laguna Nigel, CA, and Jean O'Neil, of Winchester, MA. He will be missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service for Mr. O'Neil will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at St. Eugene's Catholic Church with Fr. Pat Cahill and Fr. Robert Braunreuther officiating.
A celebration of Paul's life will be held immediately following the mass in the church gathering hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th St. NW, P.O. Box 97180, Washington, DC 20090-7180, or to Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.
Paul was an inspiration in his faith, his engineering knowledge and enthusiasm. Not many people could discuss theology, hockey and Stormwater runoff over the same beer but that was Paul I remember he sometimes referred to himself as the Coach and he was definitely that A real leader
David Brown
I remember Paul fondly over the many years we worked on environmental issues in Tampa. He was kind, considerate, wise, funny, and professional. I will miss him and extend prayers to his family. Rick Garrity
I always appreciated how professionally Paul handled the usually sticky regulatory issues on which he and I would find ourselves involved. And then after the sticky issues were discussed, he would always have a funny story to balance the meeting. May the God of all comfort and peace minister to the hearts of his famliy and friends. – Tim Neldner
Katie,
I never had the pleasure of meeting Paul, but know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Sue Gifford
I had the pleasure of working with Paul at SWFWMD when he first began his career at the District. We had a friendship that spanned almost thirty years.
He was a man of exemplary character who loved his family, his faith and was always there for his friends. I will miss him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. May God give you peace.
Kathleen, Kelly and Erin, I am deeply sorry to read of your loss. Although it is never easy to deal with the loss of a loved, our Heavenly Father gives us the needed strength to cope. May your many beautiful memories bring you solace.
My thoughts are with Mrs. O’Neil, Erin and Kelly. I was a frequent visitor to your home through my teenage years and Mr. O’Neil was always warm and welcoming. My condolences and deepest sympathies to the family.
I was very sad to year of Paul’s passing. I enjoyed working with Paul for many years. He was a very capable engineer and an honest hard working public servant. He was a very good guy indeed. I will miss Paul.
Katie,
I was so sorry to read about Paul’s death in the Boston College Magazine. He and my husband, John McSweeney, were best friends at Boston College. They had so much fun together. John died 12 years ago and I was shocked to read about Pul’s death. Lots of great memories. Paul and you are in my prayers.
Ann
Hello, Katie. I was deeply saddened to hear the news about Paul. It came as we were preparing for our 45th reunion from Boston College. While we had lost touch over the years, both during and after college he and I were very close friends and had so much fun together! I do have some photos of him from that time that i would love to share with you and the girls.I remember one of his favorite songs was ‘The Long and Winding Road’ by the Beatles. I have always thought of him wherever I heard that song!
Please feel free to contact me via e-mail or at 734.604.1278 at any time.
I am so very sorry that he left us this soon.
Charlie Reagan
Dear Katie,
I am shocked to learn of Paul’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy. May God continue to bless all of you! You were such a fun couple and we enjoyed getting together with you. Stay well and keep in touch.
Love,
Dolores Convey