Richard O'Neill
October 2, 1946 — April 10, 2011
RICHARD DAVID O’NEILL
October 2, 1946 – April 10, 2011
Richard David O’Neill, 64, passed away in his home in Stamford, CT surrounded by his loving family on April 10th, following a lengthy and courageous battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife, Alice Cole Fortunato; two sons, Richard and his wife Kristin; and Michael and his wife Linda; three daughters, Anna Marie O’Neill Hadden and her husband Kevin, Dina O’Neill Montague and her husband Greg, and Lisa O’Neill Grant; and a sister, Peggy Carriero. His extended family includes Patrick Fortunato and his wife Cynthia, Christina Fortunato Padgett, Ellen Fortunato and her husband Arthur Ruffels, and Andra Fortunato O’Connor. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins and grandchildren.
Born and raised in Stamford to the late John Alpert O’Neill and Margaret Mullen O’Neill Marcel, Richie contributed to the beauty and grace that is Stamford’s skyline through his knowledge of several trades. He drew great satisfaction in knowing that there were few neighborhoods in his hometown that had not been enhanced by his humble but able hand. He was employed by a number of construction firms over the course of his successful career. Toward the end of his career, he accepted a position with the City of Stamford as Clerk of the Works and held that position for approximately 7 years.
A quiet, dignified and gentle man, Richie was drawn to nature, particularly the sea, and especially enjoyed annual visits to South Carolina where he could be found each morning on the beach telescoping for dolphins, fishing off the pier, and occasionally playing a round of golf.
No talent for leisure while at home, however, Richie seemed to be in constant motion, a posture robbed of him in the last years of his illness. While not at work, Richie seemed ever-entrenched in one project or another, whether he was helping a friend patch a roof, build or repair a deck, or playing with his many grandchildren. While with his family, he could frequently be found at the grill ready for any and all guests, expected or unexpected, upon whom he would bestow his considerable cooking skills.
Richie was an avid local sports fan and a devoted follower of the Yankees and the Jets. He never met a John Wayne film he didn’t love, attended Broadway shows frequently and was a music enthusiast. This was a man who simply loved life and everything it had to offer. And he accepted its blessings and its cruelties with dignity, courage and grace. He was a kind and gentle soul who taught us, disciplined us and graced our world with a unique and humbling presence that comes from a life filled with experiences of love, laughter and pain.
“For what is to die, but to stand in the sun and melt into the wind? And when the Earth has claimed our limbs, then we shall truly dance.” -Kahlil Gibran
A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 on Thursday, April 14th at 10:20 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 AM at the Church of St. Cecilia, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. Interment will be private. Friends and family may call at the funeral on Wednedsay, April 13, 2011 from 4:00-8:00 PM.
Having witnessed this brave and gracious man endure the cruelties of cancer, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in his name to The American Cancer Society (CT Chapter) 825 Brook Street, 1-91 Tech Ctr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com
October 2, 1946 – April 10, 2011
Richard David O’Neill, 64, passed away in his home in Stamford, CT surrounded by his loving family on April 10th, following a lengthy and courageous battle against cancer. He is survived by his wife, Alice Cole Fortunato; two sons, Richard and his wife Kristin; and Michael and his wife Linda; three daughters, Anna Marie O’Neill Hadden and her husband Kevin, Dina O’Neill Montague and her husband Greg, and Lisa O’Neill Grant; and a sister, Peggy Carriero. His extended family includes Patrick Fortunato and his wife Cynthia, Christina Fortunato Padgett, Ellen Fortunato and her husband Arthur Ruffels, and Andra Fortunato O’Connor. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins and grandchildren.
Born and raised in Stamford to the late John Alpert O’Neill and Margaret Mullen O’Neill Marcel, Richie contributed to the beauty and grace that is Stamford’s skyline through his knowledge of several trades. He drew great satisfaction in knowing that there were few neighborhoods in his hometown that had not been enhanced by his humble but able hand. He was employed by a number of construction firms over the course of his successful career. Toward the end of his career, he accepted a position with the City of Stamford as Clerk of the Works and held that position for approximately 7 years.
A quiet, dignified and gentle man, Richie was drawn to nature, particularly the sea, and especially enjoyed annual visits to South Carolina where he could be found each morning on the beach telescoping for dolphins, fishing off the pier, and occasionally playing a round of golf.
No talent for leisure while at home, however, Richie seemed to be in constant motion, a posture robbed of him in the last years of his illness. While not at work, Richie seemed ever-entrenched in one project or another, whether he was helping a friend patch a roof, build or repair a deck, or playing with his many grandchildren. While with his family, he could frequently be found at the grill ready for any and all guests, expected or unexpected, upon whom he would bestow his considerable cooking skills.
Richie was an avid local sports fan and a devoted follower of the Yankees and the Jets. He never met a John Wayne film he didn’t love, attended Broadway shows frequently and was a music enthusiast. This was a man who simply loved life and everything it had to offer. And he accepted its blessings and its cruelties with dignity, courage and grace. He was a kind and gentle soul who taught us, disciplined us and graced our world with a unique and humbling presence that comes from a life filled with experiences of love, laughter and pain.
“For what is to die, but to stand in the sun and melt into the wind? And when the Earth has claimed our limbs, then we shall truly dance.” -Kahlil Gibran
A funeral procession will be leaving the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 on Thursday, April 14th at 10:20 AM for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 AM at the Church of St. Cecilia, 1184 Newfield Avenue, Stamford. Interment will be private. Friends and family may call at the funeral on Wednedsay, April 13, 2011 from 4:00-8:00 PM.
Having witnessed this brave and gracious man endure the cruelties of cancer, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in his name to The American Cancer Society (CT Chapter) 825 Brook Street, 1-91 Tech Ctr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067-3045
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard O'Neill, please visit our flower store.