Rev. John Michael O'Neill, OSFS
Deceased: 2022-07-09
Diocese: OBLATE OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
ICTE Fall: 2004
Rev. John M. O’Neill, OSFS, professed member of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for 57 years, died on July 9, 2022.
Rev. O’Neill was born on December 4, 1944, in Wilmington, DE, the son of George J. and Helen V. (McCrea) O’Neill. After graduating from St. Elizabeth’s Elementary School, he attended Salesianum School, graduating in 1962. He entered the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and professed first vows on August 21, 1964, made perpetual profession on October 29, 1967, and ordained a Priest on June 9, 1973. Father completed a BA in Psychology (1969), an MA in Psychology (1972) at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, and in 1973, finished his theological studies at De Sales School of Theology, Washington, DC. Over the years, Father O’Neill worked in a wide variety of ministries in Secondary Education, including St. Francis de Sales High School, Toledo, OH, Bishop Duffy High School, Niagara Falls, NY, Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria, VA, Bishop Verot High School, Fort Myers, FL, Archbishop Wood High School, Warminster, PA, and Paul VI High School, Fairfax, VA.
His experiences in parochial ministry included serving as Parochial Vicar/Pastor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Vienna, VA, Parochial Vicar/Pastor at St. Ann Parish, Naples, FL, and part-time Parochial Vicar at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Colesville, PA. He also served as Assistant to the President at De Sales University. Father O’Neill also served in several internal ministries, including Canonical Superior at both De Sales Hall and Archbishop Wood, and as Assistant Provincial and Director of Personnel. Father retired from active ministry in 2017.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Marie O’Neill, as well as by a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:30 PM, Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the Oblate Community Chapel, 1120 Blue Ball Road, Childs, MD 21916. Visitation will be held from 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM. Private interment will be in the Oblate Cemetery, Childs. All those attending any of the services are asked to be fully vaccinated and boostered for Covid-19. In memory of Father O’Neill’s life and legacy, donations may be made to the Oblate Development Fund, P.O. Box 87, Childs, MD 21916-0087.
