Obituary of Paul R. O'Neill

Paul R. O'Neill of Yardley, Pennsylvania passed away on March 4, 2024 at the age of 77. Paul was born on September 28, 1946 in Parkland, Pennsylvania. The youngest of three children, Paul arrived as an unexpected addition to the family once his father returned to Philadelphia after a tour in World War II. Overjoyed by his return, the family welcomed Paul nine months later. He attended Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1964 and upon graduation, Paul enlisted in the Marine Corps, continuing the O'Neill family military legacy. From 1966-1967, he proudly served with HMM-265 Helicopter Squadron, 1st Marine Airway in the Republic of Vietnam as an arial gunner. For his service, he received the Naval Combat Air Crew Wings, Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, a Presidential Unit Citation, several air metals and was nominated for the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following his military service, he attended Point Park College where he met the love of his life, Nancy Lord (O'Neill). After graduation, the two married in Nancy's home state of New Hampshire in September 1972. Pursuing his creative passions, he began his career in advertising, journalism and public relations in New York and the Philadelphia area working for The Wall Street Journal, Knight-Ridder Newspapers, The Philadelphia Bulletin, and The Salvation Army and eventually opened his own photography business, aptly named O'Neill Photography. Over the course of his incredibly eventful life, Paul became an avid pilot, flying small aircrafts, antique and experimental aircrafts, and hot-air balloons through his own aerospace company. Once he conquered the sky, he set his sights on the open road, becoming a member of the Delaware Valley Triumph Club where he enjoyed sunny afternoons driving his restored 1978 Triumph Spitfire. However, the best position that Paul held was that of father to his two beautiful children, Andrew (38) and Victoria (36) who were fortunate enough to be endlessly regaled with his life stories, and showered with more love than could be contained by simple words. In addition to his children, Paul leaves behind his beloved daughter-in-law, a sister-in-law, deeply devoted nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, family, friends, and his "emotionally-adopted" children whom entered his life through his biological children and immediately found a place in his heart. He is preceded in death by his mother Marie M. O'Neill, father J. Paul O'Neill, his big brother Thomas J. O'Neill, sister Marie F. O'Neill (affectionately called Snooks), and his wife whom he has finally been reunited with. Lastly, to those who knew him simply as "Papa O" and have loved him passively through the outpouring of love, stories, and adoration of his children, know that your love lit up his face with a smile bright enough to outshine the darkness caused by his loss. A viewing will be held Sunday, March 10th from 2pm and 4pm at the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Avenue Yardley, Pennsylvania. The funeral mass will take place on Monday March 11th, 2024, at 10:30am, at St. John the Evangelist Church at 752 Big Oak Road, Yardley PA, 19067. Interment will follow in Our Lady of Grace Cemetery 1215 Super Highway Langhorne, PA 19047. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the the Alzehimer's Association, in honor of his brother, Thomas. Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.