John Peter O'Neill

John Peter O’Neill (CB Ret.), a Navy veteran of World War II, passed away 4 April 2024, a month shy of his 100th birthday.  Born in New York City, John was a long-time resident of New Port Richey, FL.  John was surrounded by the love of his family, and is survived by his wife, Peggy, his sons John and Dan, his daughters Kathy and Maribeth, grandchildren Lisa, John Tommy, Shawn, Patrick, Katy, Kelly, Danny, Kevin, Emily, and Gracie, and many great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents Peter John and Mary Francis, siblings Jerome and Elizabeth, first wife Mary, and son Brian.  

As a young adult, John spent many summers building bungalows in Lake Ronkonkoma with his father.  He enlisted in the Navy in 1942, serving in Japan, Hawai’i, and New York.  Following the Navy, he returned to New York City, working as a longshoreman on the docks, served as an NYPD Officer for 4 years, and eventually retired from the FDNY after 25 years of service.  He met his first wife, Mary, while on vacation with three friends in the Catskills.  He went up to ask her to dance, after which she knew she’d be wearing flats for the rest of her life.  They moved their family to Levittown, Long Island in 1955.

After retirement, he and Mary moved to New Port Richey, and John enjoyed parttime job for 10-years as a greeter at K-Mart.  Never one to meet a stranger, the store became known as ‘JPO’s K-Mart’ to all the customers.  He remained very active with the Gene Okane FDNY Florida Division, and was always organizing various parties, picnics, and other charitable events.  He loved bowling, and was always happy to share his favorite piece of advice to anyone at the alley who would listen-- “follow through.”  In addition, he played golf, traveled, and was an avid woodworker creating beautiful furniture and other originals for his family that have become heirlooms.  All his pieces were finished with his JPO signature and the year it was made on the bottom.  After 53 years of marriage, his first wife Mary, passed away in 2003.  John, always having the luck of the Irish, was blessed enough to find love a second time with Peggy, who he met through church.

John was always willing to lend a helping hand with building, plumbing, or electrical work.  He left his mark in all of his children’s homes, who all kept running to-do list ready when he came to visit rather than him creating projects for himself.  Those visits were always celebrated with rounds of cards and drinks, followed by singing of his favorite Irish songs.  John had such a wonderful sense of humor— perfect sarcasm and self-deprecation— always leaving laughter in his wake

John was loved by all and will be missed by many.  Please raise a glass and toast to his wonderful and stubborn Irish arse.  

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in his name to Tunnel to Towers, www.t2t.org.