Walter J. O’Neil Sr.
LOWELL Walter J. O’Neil Sr., 84, of Lowell, died July 11, 2008 at Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill. He was the husband of Helen M. (Payette) O’Neil, with whom he celebrated their 57th Wedding Anniversary this past June.
A son of the late Edward and the late Barbara (Kelly) O’Neil, he was born March 13, 1924, in Lowell, and attended St. Michael’s Grammar School and graduated from Lowell High School, Class of 1942. Mr. O’Neil then joined the U.S. Army during World War II and was involved in the liberation of Auschwitz, receiving the Bronze Star.
After his honorable discharge, he returned to Lowell, working for the U.S. Post Office as a letter carrier and later was the District Safety Co-Ordinator for the Post Office, retiring in 1980 after over 35 years of service. He then became affiliated with the University of Massachusetts at Lowell in the Maintenance Department until he retired in 1990.
A longtime Highlands resident, he was a communicant of St. Margaret’s Church. Of all of his lifetime accomplishments, Walter enjoyed being a grandfather the most. Time spent with his grandchildren and family was his favorite hobby, and in his spare time, he enjoyed, cooking, playing cards, bowling, and spending time with his large family and friends.
In addition to his wife, Helen, he is survived by four children, Robert W. O’Neil of Millis, Barbara J. O’Neil of Lowell, Catherine A. Fallon and her husband, Timothy, of Lowell, and Walter J. O’Neil and his wife, Eileen of Lowell; his beloved grandchildren, Scott O’Neil, Keith O’Neil, Courtney Fallon, Ashley Fallon, Timothy Fallon, Shannan O’Neil, and Callie O’Neil; two brothers, Edward O’Neil of Port St. Lucy, FL, and Francis O’Neil and his wife, Phyliss, of Hobe Sound, FL; a brother in law, Raymond Richardson of Lowell; a sister in law, Marie Cook of Lowell; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also the brother of the late Catherine Conway, the late Raymond O’Neil, the late Thomas O’Neil, the late Brendan O’Neil, and the late Barbara Richardson.
YOU ARE INVITED TO HIS CALLING HOURS 4 UNTIL 8 P.M. ON MONDAY. ON TUESDAY, HIS FUNERAL WILL BEGIN AT 8:30 A.M. AT THE MCDONOUGH FUNERAL HOME, 14 HIGHLAND STREET, LOWELL (978 OR 800) 458-6816. HIS FUNERAL MASS WILL BE OFFERED AT ST. MARGARET’S CHURCH AT 9:30 A.M.. BURIAL IN ST. PATRICK CEMETERY. MEMORIALS IN HIS NAME TO ST. JUDE’S CHILDRENS’ RESEARCH HOSP,501 ST. JUDE PL., MEMPHIS TN 38105 OR RARA, 295 HIGH ST., LOWELL MA 01852. E-CONDOLENCE SITE WWW.MCDONOUGHFUNERALHOME.COM
