Joseph P. O'Neill Service Information

Joseph Paul O’Neill was born February 16, 1966 and passed away May 21, 2024 from complications of a genetic blood disease he had lived with for many years. He was 58 years old.

Joe was named after his father and his Uncle Paul Maxson. When he was very young we called him Butch until he wanted us to call him Joe. To his many, many dear friends in Colorado, where he lived for most of the last four decades, he will always be Joey O (T-Ride!)

Joe is survived by his father (Joseph J. O’Neill) and his siblings, Kathie Melsky (John), Julie Waters (Peter), Anna Ruegner (Gary), Ann Enger, Mike O’Neill (Erica), Pat O’Neill (Marcia), Molly Waltman (Lee), Jim O’Neill (Marybeth), Peggy O’Neill-Hull (Dan), Martha Wisniewski (Jim), Amy Marin (Mauricio), Mark O’Neill (Tracey) and an abundance of lovely aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and so many great cousins and friends, all of whom he wondered at, loved, and shared moments with over the years.

We loved Joe’s amazing abilities as a chef, herbologist, brewer, ski bum, snow boarder, devoted fan of Widespread Panic and ALL kinds of music, and official title as “The Friendliest Guy in Telluride” in the 1990’s. We loved Joe’s devotion to his dogs and cats who were a huge comfort to him over the years. He was magnetic! And we love him!

We will never be able to recite all the brothers and sisters without his name in it: KathieJulieAnnaAnnMikePatMollyJimPeggyMarthaJoeAmyMark. Our next generations can’t either. It’s impossible.

Joe was as imperfect as we all are, but he shared beautiful ideals. Take the time to be kind, maybe to someone who doesn’t live like you, and then be kinder. Stick up for someone who needs help. Be loyal. Speak the truth as you see it and don’t throw anyone under the bus. Live your life the way you want to. Try not to hurt anyone. And try to be nice to yourself.

Despite his illness, Joe continued to live his life his own way for many years. He stayed in his favorite place on earth, the mountains of Colorado, where he had so many lifelong friends from over the years who helped him on his way. We are grateful to all his friends, doctors and nurses who cared for him. We are very grateful he is beyond any hurt now. We feel SO lucky Mom, our first Mom, Aunt Jean, Aunt Bebe, Aunt Kathy and so many more were at the gate waiting to walk him over.

Luv and respect Joe! We will miss your crazy bright light!

The O’Neill family will celebrate Joe’s life on June 17, 2024 at the Joseph A. Fluehr Funeral Home, 241 E Butler Avenue (at Sandy Ridge Road), New Britain, PA 18901. Visitation is from 10:30 am to 11:30am with a service to follow. We encourage anyone who feels comfortable to please share a story about Joe with us all then.

Joe’s remains will be interred at the cemetery of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Hilltown, PA in a private ceremony at a future date.

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