Reverend Doctor Patrick Thomas Aquinas O'Neill
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March 13, 1947 - February 11, 2025 |
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Patrick T. O’Neill passed away on February 11, 2025. He was 77. Patrick was born on March 13, 1947 in New York City, NY, the seventh and youngest child of William and Elizbeth (McGuinness) O’Neill. He attended St. John the Evangelist Elementary in Leonia, NJ, Mt. Carmel Seminary in Hamilton, MA, for high school but graduated from St. Cecilia in Englewood, NJ. He received a BA from St. Peter’s Jesuit College in Jersey City and taught History and English at Hasbrouck Heights High for several years before earning certification in Social Work from Rutgers University and working for Family Services in Bergen County.
He received a MA in Theology from the University of Chicago Divinity School, his Doctorate of Ministry from Meadville Lombard Theological School and was Ordained in 1979. He served Unitarian Universalist congregations for 36 years: Seattle, (Intern at University 1977), Yakima and Kirkland WA (1979-1985), Framingham, MA (1985-1996), Wilmington, DE (1996-2005), West Chester, PA (2006-2007), Brooklyn, NY (2007-2011) and Rosslyn Hill Chapel in Hampstead, London, UK (2011-2015). He retired to Seattle, WA. In 2016, he was named Minister Emeritus by Framingham First Parish.
He received numerous awards and honors, invited to preach the UUA General Assembly 2005 Sermon of the Living Tradition: “Out From Walden,” and chosen by his classmates to deliver the sermon for their 25th Ordination Anniversary. Many of his writings are published in books, pamphlets and newsletters. His sermon, “And How Are the Children,” has been quoted and reprinted dozens of times. He served on many denominational committees and interfaith clergy groups. He taught Thematic Preaching at Andover Newton Seminary, served on the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee and had many interns. He enjoyed reading (history, poetry, spy novels), NYT crosswords, painting, photography, good movies, music, genealogy, travel (48 states and 18 countries), baseball (Yankees fan), chess, cards, summers on Cape Cod, Thanksgiving and St. Patrick’s Day dinners, naps, and walks in nature with benches.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patricia Williams; step-daughter Michelle and her husband Steve Lindstrom, grandchildren Alison and Jack; step-son Aaron Williams and his wife Corrina Skildum; sister and brother-in-law Nora and Lou Giglio; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Memorial Service will be held at University Unitarian Church in Seattle, WA, on April 12th at 2 pm PDT. Link for streaming: www.uuchurch.org/memorial
Notes of Condolence: 4533-A SW Henderson Street, Seattle, WA 98136 Donations : In Memory of Rev. Dr. Patrick T. O’Neill Unitarian: A Memorial Bench Fund at each church he served UUA Living Tradition Fund Non-Unitarian: World Central Kitchen Doctors Without Borders | |
