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Rev. Timothy H. O’Neill 1940-2021

BOARDMAN — The Reverend Timothy H. O’Neill, 81, passed away Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.

He was born on the city’s West Side Jan. 17, 1940, to Hubert and Mary Catherine McIntee O’Neill.

Father O’Neill graduated from St. Brendan Elementary and Ursuline High School before entering and graduating from St. Gregory and Mount St. Mary of the West seminaries in Cincinnati. He also earned a master’s in education (guidance counseling) from Xavier University.

Father O’Neill did graduate work at St. Louis University, and later in religious studies at San Francisco University, earning a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained May 27, 1967, by the Most Reverend James W. Malone, Bishop of Youngstown, in the Cathedral of St. Columba.

Following ordination, he served as associate pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Canton and as Stark County director of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). He joined the faculty at Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in 1970, teaching religion and serving as chaplain for the school’s athletic teams.

Father Tim was known for beginning his classes by telling his students to just “be” for the first few minutes of class.

Father O’Neill’s first pastorate was in 1987 at St. Paul Parish in New Middletown. In 1992, he was appointed as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Hubbard, until his retirement in 2015.

Father O’Neill lived by the mantra,”Unselfish giving equals happiness.” His unselfish giving was evident with the many awards he received over the years. Besides his dedication as a teacher and pastor, Father O’Neill co-founded The Difference Makers, a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those in need, especially children. In 2009, he was selected by the Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center as a Great Communicator honoree “for his outstanding contribution to communications and service to the community.” He served as a member of the board and was a volunteer counselor at the Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic. Father O’Neill also received the prestigious “Ellis Island Medal of Honor” from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, the highest award granted to American citizens.

He leaves to cherish his memory his brother, Thomas, and sister-in-law, Bernardine O’Neill; a niece and several nephews.

Along with his parents, Father O’Neill is preceded in death by his sister, Ann Marie Sullivan.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at the Cathedral of St. Columba, where there will be a Vesper Service following at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, at the cathedral.

Material tributes can be made in Father O’Neill’s name to St. Patrick Parish, 225 N. Main St. Hubbard, OH 44425, for help rebuilding of the church.

Family and friends of Reverend Timothy O’Neill may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and leave condolences for the family.

(special notice)

Rev. Timothy H. O’Neill 1940-2021

BOARDMAN — The Rev. Timothy H. O’Neill, 81, passed away Saturday, Oct. 17, 2021.

He was born on the city’s West Side on Jan. 17, 1940, to Hubert and Mary Catherine McIntee O’Neill.

Father O’Neill graduated from St. Brendan Elementary and Ursuline High School before entering and graduating from St. Gregory and Mount St. Mary of the West seminaries in Cincinnati. He also earned a master’s in education (guidance counseling) from Xavier University. Father O’Neill did graduate work at St. Louis University, and later in religious studies at San Francisco University, earning a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained May 27, 1967, by the Most Reverend James W. Malone, Bishop of Youngstown, in the Cathedral of St. Columba.

Following ordination, he served as associate pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Canton and as Stark County director of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). He joined the faculty at Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in 1970, teaching religion and serving as chaplain for the school’s athletic teams. Father Tim was known for beginning his classes by telling his students to just “be” for the first few minutes of class. Father O’Neill’s first pastorate was in 1987 at St. Paul Parish in New Middletown. In 1992, he was appointed as pastor of St. Patrick Parish in Hubbard, until his retirement in 2015.

Father O’Neil lived by the mantra “Unselfish giving equals happiness.” His unselfish giving was evident with the many awards he received over the years. Besides his dedication as a teacher and pastor, Father O’Neill co-founded The Difference Makers, a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those in need, especially children. In 2009, he was selected by the Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center as a Great Communicator honoree “for his outstanding contribution to communications and service to the community.” He served as a member of the board and volunteer counselor at the Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic. Father O’Neill also received the prestigious “Ellis Island Medal of Honor” from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, the highest award granted to American citizens.

He leaves to cherish his memory his brother, Thomas, and sister-in-law, Bernardine O’Neill, a niece and several nephews.

Along with his parents, Father O’Neill was preceded in death by his sister, Ann Marie Sullivan.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at the Cathedral of St. Columba, where there will be a Vesper service following at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown, at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, at the Cathedral.

Material tributes can be made in Father O’Neill’s name to St. Patrick Parish, 225 N. Main Street, Hubbard, OH 44425, for help rebuilding of the church.

Family and friends of Reverend Timothy O’Neill may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and leave condolences for the family.

(special notice)