Think where man’s glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends. W.B. Yates
Dr. Patrick Joseph O’Neill was an extra-ordinarily energetic husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He left this world September 1st, 2021.
He was born to Thomas and Bridget O’Neill on November 11, 1945. He is survived by his three siblings – Mary Corban, Bridie Rooney, and Thomas O’Neill. Patrick earned his medical degree at the University College Galway (now NUI-Galway).
After marrying Mary O’Flinn, they moved to Canada in 1971. Together they had 5 children (Shane, Deirdre, Tieman, Bevin, and Kealan). He is in turn survived by 15 grandchildren. All of what you will read below was done with his wife at his side for 50 years, every step of the way.
Patrick served the educational and medical communities of London, Ontario, Canada from 1971 until 1994. He served on the local school board, acted as physician for city, 3M and Kellog’s employees while keeping a busy family practice. Needing more adventure, he served in the same way in Huntsville, Alabama from 1994 until he passed away. While caring for the residents of North Alabama he also served as proctor for students from USA, UAH, Drake, and Wallace State and was a resident examiner for the Canadian College of Family Physicians.
There was not an athletic endeavor that Patrick was not interested or proficient in. Soccer, Rugby, Field/Ice Hockey, Gaelic football, Squash, Skiing, and Golf all piqued his interest. Even though he moved to Alabama, he maintained his allegiance to the football teams of Notre Dame and Michigan.
In addition to athletics, Patrick was also consumed with politics and healthcare advocacy. He spent time on medical associations and political campaigns – specifically the Ontario Medical Association, the PC party at every political level in Canada, the Madison County Medical Society and the Medical Association of the State of Alabama.
All of the above are things he did. And he enjoyed each and every one of them. Much more, he enjoyed great satisfaction in the friends he made along the way.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11 am on September 7th, 2021 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 13550 Chaney Thompson Rd, in Huntsville, AL. Reception to follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org) or Huntsville’s Downtown Rescue Mission (https://www.downtownrescuemission.org) on his behalf.
