John J. O’Neill, age 76, a resident of Tewksbury for over 70 years and a 3rd Degree member of the Tewksbury Knights of Columbus, passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
Born in Everett on August 10, 1949, he was the son of the late Andrew J. O’Neill and the late Lillian L. (Forgione) O’Neill.
At the age of five, John and his family moved to Tewksbury. He attended Tewksbury Public Schools and graduated from a technical high school in North Reading.
John was a lifelong communicant of St. William’s Church, where as a young man he served his parish proudly as an altar boy.
Prior to retiring, he was employed at Tewksbury Hospital, where he worked as an assistant baker.
John was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and a proud member of Red Sox Nation.
He loved family sing-alongs at parties and listening to his extensive vinyl collection of Beatles and other 60’s generation music. He especially cherished the many camping trips that became treasured family traditions throughout the years. He also found joy in the popular Friday and Saturday night card games that brought everyone together, as well as his many years of bowling. In addition, he enjoyed playing cribbage and traveling to area casinos and horse tracks.
John will always be remembered for his outgoing personality, warm spirit, and generous heart.
He is survived by two children, Christopher J. O’Neill of Hull and Michelle A. O’Neill of Tewksbury; two grandchildren, Jason Mannion and Angel Lavasseur; two brothers, Paul D. O’Neill of Lowell and David J. O’Neill of Tewksbury; and two sisters, Maureen L. Kicza and her husband Harold of McAllen, TX, and Kathleen E. LeBlanc and her husband James of Conway, SC. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.
Calling hours are Thursday, December 11, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Friday, December 12, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main Street, Route 38, Tewksbury. Services will conclude with interment at Lowell Cemetery, 77 Knapp Avenue, Lowell, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to:
Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472, or online at www.perkins.org.
Massachusetts Eye & Ear, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 or online at www.masseyeandear.org
Dana Farber's Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or online at www.jimmyfund.org