SPRINGFIELD - Michael J. O'Neil, Jr., 66, of the Hungry Hill section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on September 27, 1956, the beloved son of the late Michael J. and Theresa F. "Terry" (Gloster) O'Neil. He was raised in Springfield, graduated in the Class of 1974 from the Cathedral High School, received his bachelor's degree from North Adams State College, his Master of Arts in Teaching from Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, and was a lifelong resident of Springfield. He originally worked in finance and real estate before finding his true passion in life, teaching. He was a Special Education Teacher at Central High School in Springfield where he also was a great supporter of the Central High School Football Team. He was a member of the John Boyle O'Reilly Club in Springfield. Michael enjoyed working out at the gym, reading, listening to music, and especially socializing with his good friends at The Fort in Springfield and Munich Haus in Chicopee. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and his many friends. He was a longtime communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield. He leaves his love and light of his life, his cherished daughter, Eve Theresa "Evie" O'Neil and her mother, Patricia A. Thompson, of Longmeadow; his six loving and devoted siblings, Sheila O. Berthiaume and her husband, Bruce, and Patrick G. O'Neil and his wife, Gina, all of Springfield, John J. O'Neil of Wilbraham, Mary Beth O'Neil and her wife, Sheila, of Springfield, and Maggie M. O'Neil and Terence S. O'Neil and his wife, Emily, all of Chicopee; his dear brother in law, William J. Hayward of Springfield; his cherished nephews and nieces, Brandon Berthiaume and his wife, Lyndsi, Jonathan Berthiaume and his husband, Michael Fenton, Alexander Berthiaume and his wife, Kayla, Michael O'Neil and his wife, Jessica, Ian O'Neil and his wife, Laura, James LaRoche and his companion, Alice Dixon, Julia LaRoche, Aidan O'Neil, and Hannah O'Neil; his many dear cousins in the United States and abroad especially John Verner and his wife, Susan, of England and his extended family members, colleagues and numerous friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved sister, Colleen T. Hayward who was Called Home on April 10, 2015; and his loyal canine companions, Rusty, Bostyn, and Ruby. His Family and Friends are invited to attend a Prayer Service on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 10 a.m. at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.). His Burial will follow the Prayer Service at Calvary Cemetery, 292 Hampden Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Special Olympics of Greater Springfield, c/o 49 Sedgelia Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com