Plan for the Future
A Deacon For All Seasons
Daniel Joseph O’Neill, “Deacon Dan” born July 21, 1945 deceased August 11, 2020, age 75 of congestive heart failure at the Overlook Medical Center in Summit, New Jersey. He was a resident of Springfield for 40 years. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Dan was the son of Henry Peter O’Neill, Sr. and Margaret Mary, (nee McAlee) O’Neill. He was married to Margaret “Peggy” (nee Reece) O’Neill August 6th, 1983 who proceeded him in death on July 2nd, 2015. Dan was an avid skier in his younger years, skiing the slopes of Lake Tahoe to the mountains of Vermont. Along with Peggy, Dan traveled the world, adventuring to such places as the Galapagos Islands to the wilds of Alaska. Recently Dan traveled to the Holy Land with a group of deacons from the Newark, New Jersey archdiocese. Ordained a deacon at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in 2001, Dan dedicated himself with Peggy at his side to the St. James Roman Catholic Church in Springfield, NJ for his entire deaconship. Known for his passionate, heartfelt oratory he was a beloved member of his faith community as well as a Knights of Columbus member and former President of his local Chapter. A man of many talents, Dan was a regular on the boards in his 30’s and 40’s at various community theatres in New Jersey – favorite roles included Doc in West Side Story and Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. Shortly after receiving his BA from St. Charles Seminary in 1970, Dan became a member of the Astrup Corporation for nearly 30 years. Dan retired in 2012 to pursue his many interests with Peggy including ornithology, rarely missing the World Series of Birding with the New Jersey Audubon Society; he was an expert at identifying various species of birds and their songs. But his greatest passion along with Peggy was tending to the spiritual needs of his community and his immediate and extended family; never missing officiating at a birthday, baptism, first communion, or wedding for his eleven nieces and nephews and all of their children. Dan will always be remembered by them as “Uncle Danny” who was always there for them. He is survived by his sister Margaret Mary O’Neill/Schorpp, and her husband, Charles B. Schorpp of Flourtown, PA, retired United States Secret Service Officer Henry O’Neill, Jr. of Glen Burnie, MD, Thomas O’Neill, EdD, and his wife Silvana Vasconcelos of Astoria Park, NY and Alice Loveless/O’Neill, LCSW of Ambler, PA. A private viewing and mass will be held on August 17th at St. James Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to https://www.westcatholic.org/give , Dan’s alma mater, class of 1963. Dan’s faith was boundless and he continues to touch our lives.
