Jack E. O’Neil

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Jack Edward O'Neil, who died peacefully on December 29, 2024, the Feast of the Holy Family, surrounded by his own loving famliy after a brief illness.  Born on the family dairy farm along the Seneca River in Cato, New York, Jack was the eldest child of Edward Joseph O'Neil and Ethel Mae (Whitman) O'Neil.  Jack graduated from Weedsport Central School in 1953.  In the class will, he bequeathed his batting average (not specified!) to one of his junior teammates.  He attended Le Moyne College and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Physics, and shortly thereafter enlisted with the New York Army National Guard where he was an accomplished marksman in the 108th Infantry Regiment.  In the years that followed, he would occasionally eliminate woodchucks with a .22 Hornet at impressive distances with only iron sights.  At least once, he left the family dinner table and quickly hit his mark from the adjacent porch.  Jack learned programming and system design on the job at the dawn of the computer age, and spent many years at GTE Sylvania in Camillus and Philips Electronics in Seneca Falls using his gifts of keen logic and attention to detail in developing and maintaining business systems.

Jack's Catholic faith and unwavering loyalty to the Church were examples for many.  He was a lifetime communicant of St. Joseph Church in Weedsport, and was a member of the Parish Council, a religious education teacher, usher and altar server for many years.  He was a Fourth-Degree Knight and charter member of the Fr. John Guy Council No. 12223 of the Knights of Columbus.  He was the Council's financial secretary from it's first meeting in 1998 until shortly before his death.  Jack and Irene received the Family of the Year award from Council 12223 in 2004 for their example and roles in supporting and strengthening Christian family life in the parish.  In recent years, Jack and Irene volunteered countless hours at the St. John Paul II Academy in Cayuga.  Jack was a board member for ten years and taught religion.  His passion there was tutoring students in mathematics.

Through the years, Jack spent the free time he had competing in team sports and in public service.  For many years he was the first baseman, lefty slugger, and manager for the Montezuma Muckers in the County Slow Pitch Softball League.  He was league secretary for the Weedsport Merchants Bowling League, and also enjoyed competing in the annual Citizen Masters tournament.  He was one of the first bowlers to roll a 700 series in the local association, and lamented that today's high scores owed mainly to excessively oiled lanes and plastic balls.  In retirement, Jack entered public service.  He was elected to one term on the Mentz Town Board, and three terms as Town Supevisor.

Above all, Jack was dedicated to providing a safe and secure home for Irene and their seven children, and doing his best with Irene to ensure each grew to be a productive member of society and the Church.  As the college years approached, Jack sacrificed many Saturdays to earn overtime pay for tuition.  He took great pride in the fact that all of the children graduated from college without ever drawing attention to the role he and Irene played in their success.

Jack is survived by his wife of 62 years, Irene (Siracusa) O'Neil; their children Kitty, Anne, Mike, Mary, Maureen, Bill and John, and their spouses and twelve grandchildren; his siblings Pat, Peggy, Tom and Joan; godchildren Joe, Pat and Eileen; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, January 6 at 11:00am at St. Joseph Church, 8831 South Seneca Street, Weedsport, New York.  Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Weedsport.  The family will receive visitors at White Chapel Funeral Home, 2719 Erie Drive, Weedsport, New York on Sunday January 5 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

Mass intentions for the blessed repose of the deceased members of the extended O'Neil and Siracusa families would be deeply appreciated.

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