Donald Patrick O'Neil

Donald Patrick O’Neil was born March 15, 1926 to Winifred (nee Magill) and Jeremiah O’Neil in Fall River, MA. He spent his youth in Fall River and Wakefield, MA, enjoying life with siblings Gerry, Paul, Claire and Steve. Life was challenging after the early deaths of both his parents. After high school he was commissioned into the Navy as an ensign. As part of the Naval training program starting at Tufts, he eventually earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute. From there, he served toward the end of World War II on the USS Thompson in the South China Sea.  He was discharged in 1947 as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. Following his Naval service he ultimately continued his education at  Harvard and the University of Chicago, earning master’s degrees in both engineering and business. 

After a brief stint working in New York, where he would often visit Yankee Stadium to cheer only for the visiting Red Sox, he was hired at Argonne National Laboratory in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago. He planned to stay there only five years and then return to his beloved New England. One day, however, a beautiful young chemistry technician entered his life and she changed things forever. 

Colette Koehl became his beloved “Bridey” when they married in 1955. They lived together in Oak Brook for the next 54 years, where they prayed the rosary every night until her death in 2009.  During that time they welcomed seven children into their lives, Kevin (who died as a newborn), Timothy O’Neil, Terri (David) Selvage, Stephen (Kathryn) O’Neil, Jennifer (Chris) King, Mary O’Neil and  Dan (Christie) O’Neil. 

“Pop,” as he was called, always put his family first: no sacrifice was too big if it meant taking care of his family. After long days at work, he would spend his evening hours helping each of his children with homework, as he valued education so highly. His well-known phrases--“Navy shower,” “Hit the books” and “God was good to give us milk”--were ingrained in all his kids. 

He retired from Argonne after almost 40 years. He enjoyed gardening and advocacy on the Hinsdale Public School Board and was a decades-long parishioner of St. Isaac Jogues Parish. He loved to stay active and joined several social clubs including the Adams Street investment club, the Friday morning current events group , and the “Smoke Eaters,” who met at the local firehouse.

He was a loving grandfather to six grandchildren, Lauren King, Reina and Ollie Selvage and Patrick, Annie and Cece O'Neil. “Grampy” loved visiting them in Indianapolis, Carmel and Santa Fe with Grammy, giving them tractor rides, watching dance and piano recitals, cheering for them in cross country meets,  Little League and softball games, ice skating and attending their plays and concerts and of course, taking  yearly adventurous vacations.  

He was a beloved uncle to many, a cherished brother-in-law of Regina and Harry Koehl and a friend to everyone he met.

Other than his family, his heart was drawn mostly to the Red Sox and New England Patriots, faithfully cheering for them his whole life.

Everyone who knew Don O’Neil knew he was a man of integrity, kindness and joy. He was a devout Catholic and loved the Lord.  He will be missed by all who loved him. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may Your perpetual light shine upon him. 

A visitation will be held on Sunday August 25, 2024 from 6pm to 9pm at Adolf & Powell Funeral Home, 7000 S Madison St, Willowbrook, IL 60527. Family and friends will gather on Monday, August 26, 2024 for a visitation from 9 am until time of Funeral Mass at 10am at St. Isaac Jogues 4th and Clay St. Hinsdale, IL 60521. Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a hospice provider of your choice. 

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