Robert O'Neil, Jr.

Robert O’Neil was born in Brooklyn, NY, to Robert and Helen O’Neil on February 19, 1933. He was the second oldest among his seven siblings: Joan, Doris, Pat, Barbara, Tommy, Gerrie, and Kathy.

As a young boy, Robert worked hard to help support his family, delivering ice, working in pizzerias, and taking other jobs. Later, he joined the Army, serving as a radio operator in the Korean War.

He met the love of his life, Henrietta, and they married on July 2, 1955. They had four children: Linda, Susan, Maureen, and Robert. Shortly after his first child was born, he joined the New York City Police Department. Acts of heroism included delivering babies, saving firemen from burning buildings, and courageously responding to all sorts of distress as a member of the NYPD. Early in his career, he was able to purchase a home for his growing family in Suffolk County, where he lived for the rest of his life.

Robert was well respected and loved by all that knew him. He taught himself to be a professional carpenter and a creative cook, among other talents. He was kind and generous, giving his time and talents to help others, including renovating homes, lending tools, building hardscapes for neighbors, and providing financial assistance to those who needed it. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor, bringing warmth to gatherings with witty jokes and contagious laughter. As a father, grandpa, and great-grandpa, he loved his family so well through unmatched hospitality and wide-ranging conversation around the table. He took interest in his family’s lives and modeled tenacity in the face of adversity. His life was a blessing to all that knew him.

He is survived by his three siblings: Tommy (AnnMarie), Gerrie (Joey), and Kathy (Rocco); his four children: Linda (David), Susan, Maureen, and Robert (Angie); nine grandchildren: Sean (Johanna), Colleen (John), Jacqueline, Joanne, Alexandra, Brittney, Christopher (Kate), Alyssa (Ryan), and Branden (Amber); and seven great-grandchildren: Iain, Ella, Jane, Wesley, Tate, Luna, and Brenna.

May all of his loved ones who grieve take comfort in his long and well-lived journey that ended in reunion with his wife, Henrietta.