In Loving Memory of Edward J. O'Neill

February 15, 1942
Washington, D.C.
August 16, 2020
Trumbull, CT
Funeral Home

Spear-Miller Funeral Home

39 South Benson Road,
Fairfield CT US 06824

Service

Due to current conditions, a private Mass will be held at the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Fairfield University.

Cemetery

Family Gathering

Charity

PSC Partners

https://pscpartners.org/get-involved/donate.html



Edward J. O'Neill, Ph.D

Edward John O’Neill, Ph.D, age 78, of Trumbull, loving husband of Frances (Neary) O’Neill, passed away peacefully Sunday with his loving wife by his side, August 16, 2020 at Bridgeport Hospital following a courageous battle with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Born in Washington, D.C., the son of the late Bernard and Alice (Kennedy) O’Neill, he had been an area resident for many years. Ed received his BS, Phi Beta Kappa and was class Valedictorian from Catholic University of America and his MS and Ph.D in Mathematics from Yale University. He retrained in Computer Science for college faculty from Clarkson University. Dr. O’Neill taught Mathematics and Computer Science at Fairfield University from 1967-2007 retiring as Associate Professor Emeritus. While at Fairfield University, he developed many life-long relationships and was loved and admired by both the faculty and his many students. Ed enjoyed running, playing tennis and basketball, and played on the Fairfield University faculty basketball team affectionately referred to as the “Doctors of Dunk”. Ed and Fran were avid travelers and especially enjoyed several trips to Ireland to visit with many relatives. He was active in Literacy Volunteers of America, volunteered for the Bridgeport school system teaching Science, Technology and Reading and always looked forward to running the computer contest for local high school students sponsored by the General Electric Company. As a devoted Catholic he was active in the Voice of the Faithful organization. He was also deeply involved in PSC Partners, the organization established to seek a cure for the rare liver disease with which he was diagnosed. In addition to his loving wife Frances, Ed is survived by three brothers, Bernard V. O’Neill, Jr., Michael P. O’Neill and Kevin V. O’Neill; several nieces, nephews and grand nephews. He was predeceased by brothers: Thomas M. O’Neill, MD., John J. O’Neill, Charles J. O’Neill and a sister, Alice B. O’Neill. Due to current conditions a private funeral Mass will be held at the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Fairfield University. In lieu of flowers friends may consider a donation in Edward’s memory to PSC Partners at https://pscpartners.org/get-involved/donate.html. For information or to offer an online condolence please visit www.SpearFuneralHome.com

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42 Guestbook Entries for Edward J. O’Neill, Ph.D

  1. So sad to hear of Ed’s passing. What a fine obituary. Ed was a man of substance, easily liked and respected. I know you’ll miss him terribly Fran. I’m sending love across globe to you. I hope you’ve got the support you need. Please take good care of yourself.

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  3. Deepest sympathy and condolences, I will offer Mass for Edward, Class of 1959.

    Pax in Sapientia,

    Fr. Peter Weigand, OSB

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  4. Dear Fran – We are so very sorry to learn of Ed’s death! He was a wonderful friend; truly “a gentleman and a scholar.” We are sad for you and, at the same time, grateful for knowing you both.
    Sending much love and a big hug, -Betsy & Ray

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  5. How well I remember the faithfulness of Ed and Fran to the many events on campus that explored the future of the Catholic Church. I also recall seeing both of them, almost always together, in various places around Trumbull, one especially memorable occasion being in the town library, sitting side by side (of course) catching up on the news. Ed was also a stickler for grammar and punctuation in faculty documents, frequently (and rightly) insisting on a comma here and a semi-colon there. Thanks, Ed, for your intelligence, commitment and graciousness.

    Reply

    • Thank you, Paul, for providing us with many hours of stimulating discussion following one of your on-campus events.
      The town library was a favorite place. Happy to see you there.

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  6. Dear Fran,
    I am so sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. He put up a good fight. I learned a lot about him from the obituary and would have enjoyed spending more time with him. Sending you a virtual hug and reserving a real one for when we return to some sort of normalcy.
    May he Rest in Peace and may his memory be for a blessing.
    Beryl Kaufman

    Reply

    • Thank you, Beryl. It is a blessing. We were on the same circuit as you. LifeLong Learners, Nights with Shakespeare. I hope we all can return to that kind of normalcy.

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  7. Ed was a gentleman and a scholar. My wife Josephine and I always enjoyed his company when we had the opportunity to meet. My condolences to his wife and best friend Fran.

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  8. I did not know Ed well, but was very impressed by his kind and gracious personality, whenever we had the opportunity to chat, before meetings or incidentally elsewhere on campus. I wish the family the greatest peace.

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  9. Deirdre and I are so sorry to hear about the death of Ed.I wish we could have spent more time with you both. P.G. WE will meet again. Michael.

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  10. Dear Fran,
    We are so very sorry for your loss. Ed sure was a super special guy and will be greatly missed. We have so many many memories and are still so thankful that he was the Photographer at our Wedding! He had a great eye behind the camera …just one of his many talents.
    May he rest in eternal peace and live in your heart forever. Lot of love and prayers,
    Mary and Patrick Garber

    Reply

    • We were so sad to hear that Ed had died.
      It was a treat to be greeted by him in math department, his optimism was contagious, never was Ed without a smile.
      We both feel so fortunate to have known him.
      Rest In Peace, Ed.

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      • Dear Joe and Cathy – thank you. Fond memories of you both, especially in Spain at an accidental meeting in an airport.

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    • Dear Mary and Patrick – thank you both. As Ed always said – photogenic subjects on a happy occasion results in wonderful photos.

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  11. To Fran and all the O’Neills,
    We always looked forward to Ed’s visit to Aunt Joan’s in West Springfield. Ed was always interested in our activities, especially helping Megan with her math
    homework. We will always be grateful for Ed’s friendship—-his kindness, generosity, and humor.
    Sue, Jim, and Megan Brady

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  12. Dr. O’Neill was one of those professors who motivated students to think critically in mathematics. Through his passion for teaching and love of Calculus, he further inspired me to continue on my journey to become a teacher, just like him. I will be forever grateful that I was his student and friends well after graduation. I will never forget him.

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  13. My condolences. I had Dr. O’Neill (then “Mr.” O’Neill) for Freshman Calculus at Fairfield U in 1969-1970. We enjoyed many laughs together as I would occasionally visit with him in his ground-floor office in Bannow. My senior year I and several other students pulled him out of his office for several pitchers of beer at the “Stag Room” in downtown Fairfield. In the late 90s-early 2000’s I again bumped into him when my daughter was a student there. He was a good man. God’s blessing and peace to Ed and his loved ones.

    Reply

    • Dear Phil – you knew Ed long before I met him and I thoroughly enjoyed contemplating him being hauled away by these seniors to let loose in the ‘Stag Room.’
      I agree — a great guy. Thank you.

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  14. Ed was a very kind and gracious gentleman. We are very sad at his passing. We send our prayers loving sympathy to you, Fran.
    Joan and Marshall

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  16. Ed was the finest brother imaginable, and a model of Christlikeness throughout his life. I was richly blessed by him always.
    Kevin ONeill

    Reply

    • Dear Kevin – your big brother so enjoyed the many interests you both shared. Ed also felt the same about you. We were both fortunate to have Ed grace our lives.

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  17. Our deepest sympathies at this time. Ed was such a kind, warm, gentleman who we will so fondly remember. We are all thinking of you at this time, may Ed rest in peace.

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    • Padraic and Sarah – Ed and I enjoyed the many many times we shared laughter, food, and good times here and across the pond. Wonderful memories.

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  18. Fran,
    So sorry to hear about Ed’s passing. I have not known two more wonderful people than you and Ed. I know your many friends and family are there for you. Please count me as one.
    Love and hugs, Linda

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    • Dear Linda – friends forever. We so enjoyed being with you from the Del on Coronado to downtown Fairfield. Thank you.

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  19. Fran I am so sorry to hear about your loss . I just received your card today and was so sad to hear that Dr O’Neill had passed away . He was always so kind to me and so generous . I will never forget his kindness Fran .

    I can’t imagine how hard this must be so hard for you Fran . We will be praying for you and your family Fran .

    Love Mary , Paul , Yoonie and Kate
    P.s Yoonie is now 13 and Kate is 10 .
    I feel so guilty for not keeping in touch Fran , things got so crazy as the kids got older . I wish I had a chance to see Dr O’Neill again before he passed away . May his soul Rest In Peace .

    Reply

    • Dear Mary – no guilt, Mary. Your years as a student, then wife to Paul, and mother to Yoonie and Kate were special to Ed and to me.

      We traveled and lived our lives. It’s natural and right that responsibilities take up your time. It does not mean one is forever out of mind.

      13 and 10 – oh my. Really, like yesterday in the mind’s eye, Mary.

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  20. Mrs O’Neill we are so sorry for your loss and to hear that Dr O’Neil has passed away . I can’t imagine how sad you must be feeling now .

    I am always grateful for the kindness he showed me and for his generosity . My four years at Fairfield U would have never been the same if I had not met Dr ONeill .

    I pray that your mind is at peace and wanted to let you know we will be thinking of you during this difficult time .
    Mary and Paul Cho

    Reply

    • Thank you, Mary and Paul, for your kind words. It is a different phase of life for me and not an easy one. Time will soften the edges of grief.

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