Daniel R. O'Neil

HARDWICK – Daniel R. O'Neil, 98, died peacefully at his daughter's home in East Hardwick. His wife of 51 years, Winifred M. (Cox) O'Neil, passed away in 1998. 

His son, Patrick C. O’Neil, died in 2001. He leaves a daughter Mary-Ellen Lovinsky and her husband Jim of East Hardwick; a son Donald J. O'Neil and his wife Jenny of Petersham, Mass.; daughter-in-law Judy Taylor O'Neil of Harwichport, Mass. a brother, Paul Michael O’Neil and his wife Pat of Glen Mills, Penn.; nine grandchildren: James Daniel, Kathryn, Patrick, Bob and Kallin, Greta, Haley, Dillon and Luke; seven great-grandchildren: Reed and Windsor, Libby and Graham, Anna Bella, Celia and Lila; and many nieces and nephews.

Dan was born in Worcester, Mass., son of Daniel J. and Mary F. (Gearin) O’Neil, and lived in Worcester until moving to Vermont in 2017.  When asked how he liked Vermont, his standard answer was, “Well, it's a different lifestyle here!” In his heart he was always a Worcester resident. Dan was always about family and children, and education.

He was a graduate of Fitchburg State College, where he later earned a master’s degree in education.  

Dan was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II. He served overseas for more than two years with the 1st Marine Corps Division in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, including the capture of Peleliu Island and Okinawa, and the occupation of China. He was awarded a Bronze Star.

For 38 years, Dan was an educator in the Worcester Public Schools. He was an Assistant Principal at Granite St. and Grafton St. schools. He was the Principal of Belmont St. School from 1957 to 1965, and Principal at Grafton St. School from 1965 to his retirement in 1984.

Dan served in 1984 on Governor Michael Dukakis’s Task Force on Child Abuse.

Dan was a member of Mary Queen of All Saints Parish in Hardwick.  

Calling hours will be held Thursday, July 25, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester. The funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. in Saint John’s Church, 40 Temple St., Worcester. Burial will be in Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester.  Local arrangements are in the care of des Groseilliers Funeral Home.

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