JOHN GERALD O'NEIL

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOHN GERALD O'NEIL Peacefully, with family by his side, on Sunday, January 11, 2009 at the Portage District General Hospital, John Gerald O'Neil of Portage la Prairie, passed away at the age of 61 years. Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church, Portage la Prairie, MB on Thursday, January 15, 2009 with the Reverend Deacon Bill Parrack officiating. A private family interment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. John was born May 7, 1947 in Portage la Prairie to Albert and Shirley O'Neil. He was raised on the family farm and received his education in Portage la Prairie. At the age of 21 he joined the military beginning in Moose Jaw, Sask., served four years in Germany and ended in Winnipeg. While in Moose Jaw he met the mother of his children Margaret Marsh. Their two children were born in Germany; Jimmy in 1977 and Christl in 1979. After he retired in 1996 he worked for the Corp Commissionaires at D Division for the RCMP for 7 years. He retired to the family farm in 2003. John's favourite saying was; There are three sides to every story; Yours, Mine and the Truth. John loved to restore cars especially his 1953 MERC a.k.a. Green Machine. He was an avid collector of tube radios, clocks, and mementos of his travels. He loved and organized family reunions and had a lifetime passion for his family genealogy. John leaves to mourn his son James and fiancé Kenda of Regina, daughter Christl of Winnipeg, ex-wife and friend Margaret O'Neil of Winnipeg, sisters Carol (George) Chandler of Portage la Prairie, Arlene O'Neil of Dauphin, nieces and nephews Lana, Carl, Cora, Jamie, Kimberly and family. Also surviving cousin and brother Ron O'Neil and family, and several nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. John's family would like to thank the nurses, health care aides and doctors of the long term care and medical units of the Portage District General Hospital for their compassion, patience and care. Also to Dawn Garrioch for being there right up to the end. If friends so desire memorial donations may be made to Canadian Diabetes or a charity of choice. Condolences may be sent to the family care of Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our website www.omegafuneralhome.com Dedicated to those we serve .

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 13, 2009