Patrick H. O'Neill Sr.

Patrick H. O’Neill, Sr.

March 20, 1939 to March 19, 2026

Patrick H. O’Neill, Sr., age 86, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2026, in Naples, Florida, after battling multiple medical issues. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marie “Gee Gee” and Joseph T. O’Neill; sisters, Dolly, Joan and Laura; brothers, Joe and Jim; and his first wife, Jane Sheahan O’Neill. Lovingly survived by his children: Molly (Tony) DeGidio, Patrick (Kelley), Peggy (Dan) Cummings, and Dan (Ginnie), 11 grandchildren: Mike, Dan, and Rob DeGidio; Allison and Pat O’Neill; Kayte, Tommy, and Shannon Cummings; Shea, Molly and Henry O’Neill; and 4 great-grandchildren: Lucy, Olivia, Anna, and Ben. Pat is also survived by his wife of 26 years, Colette (Osberg) O’Neill and her children: Michael (Molly), David (Frannie), Tom (Kandi) and Dan (Christine), 8 grandchildren: Michael T., Samantha, Ryan, Matthew, Hannah, Dillon, and Soledad; and 2 great-grandchildren: Bella and Finley. Pat is further survived by many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Pat grew up in St. Paul on Lincoln Avenue, attended St. Luke’s grade school, and graduated from St. Thomas Academy in 1957. He attended Regis College in Denver, Colorado and graduated in 1961, and later earned his law degree from William Mitchell Law School in 1965. Pat practiced law in St. Paul his entire career. On January 1, 1968, he co-founded the O’Neill, Burke & O’Neill law firm, where he specialized in contract and business law, banking, estate planning, and election law. He was involved in many organizations and civic activities, which included serving as Honorary Counsel of Belgium, Chairman of the St. Paul Winter Carnival in 1986 which built the Harriet Island Ice Castle, Mr. Pat who leads the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Chairman of the St. Thomas Academy Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Ramsey County and the Fourth Congressional District, and a Director of the St. Paul Rehabilitation Center and the United Way. He was also President of Catholic Charities. In 1987, he was the Jaycee’s Boss of the Year, and also served as a member of the Governor’s Commission on Judicial Appointment from 1978 to 1982. He was appointed to the Metropolitan Airports Commission in 1992. One of his proudest accomplishments was raising funds in the late 1980’s for Casa Hagar Orphanage in Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico, which helped house over 100 orphans. In 1994, he became active in the Hazelden Foundation and served as a founding Board Member of The Retreat in Wayzata, and also participated in founding H.E.A.R.T. He had recently received his 30 years of sobriety pin, of which he was very proud and remained an active participant in his Thursday night group. Pat also served on the board several area banks, as well as Midwest Sign and Decko Products. He loved spending time on the golf course and cherished being a member of the Town and Country Club. He was an avid skier and made trips to Ironwood, MI, where family memories were made for decades. He was also a member of the Saturday Fun Club in Beach View, Marco Island. Pat especially loved time spent on the water—boating and fishing—and spent 50 years of his life on White Bear Lake. He loved being Irish, laughter, and had compassion and kindness for all. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday April 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Assumption, 57 West Seventh Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota. Visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The service will be live streamed at https://watchitlivestream.com/p-oneill. Interment, Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials preferred to The Retreat, St. Thomas Academy, or Visitation School.

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