ONeil, Joseph G.

Description

Joseph G. O’Neil

Joseph G. ONeil was born Oct 23 1902 in Rye the son of the late Andrew Francis and Julia Mooney. He had a sister Mary and four brothers Andrew F., William E., Edward F. and Thomas E.. Joseph was educated at Resurrection School and was a graduate of Rye High School and Manhattan College. In Rye his family lived at 200 Forrest Ave. and were members of the Church of the Resurrection.

Joseph married Alice Kearns on September 10, 1926 and they would have three children.

He enlisted and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Joseph was a chief warrant officer in the 69th Naval Construction Battalion, Seabees.

The 69th Naval Construction Battalion saw service in Canada, England, Scotland, France and Germany. It is remembered as the battalion that closed Omaha Beach, made the longest overland movement of any construction battalion in World War II and became the first Seabee unit to relocate by air.

After the war, Joseph worked at the New York City Department of Water Supply in the Bronx. A civil engineer with the department. He was a member of the Church of the Resurrection, the Knights of Columbus John M Grady Council Port Chester and the Society of Professional Engineers. Joseph was also a member of the Milton Point Hose Co. of the Rye Fire Department and was a past Grand Knight of the former Rye K of C council.

Joseph George O’Neil, of 2 Ivy St. Rye, died suddenly April 6, 1962

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Alice Kearns O’Neil: two sons Maj. Joseph B O’Neil port area commander at La Rochelle France and Robert G O’Neil of Detroit: a daughter Mrs Mary Alice Wiley of Rye; a sister Mrs Mary Higgins of Rye, four brothers Andrew F., William E., Edward F. and Thomas E. all of Rye, and 10 grandchildren