Obituary of Joseph Thomas O'Neill

Joseph (Joe) Thomas O'Neill (1940-2022)

Our wonderful dad, Joe O’Neill, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday April 8, 2022 at the age of 81. Joe grew up on the O’Neill family farm just outside of Gananoque with his three brothers, Jim, John, and Ed, and his sister Mary. Dad loved to tinker and after completing the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at Ryerson in 1964 he spent the rest of his life doing what he loved - designing, building, and problem solving. The majority of his career was spent at Graphic Controls in Gananoque and he enjoyed every moment of it. He particularly enjoyed the moment when he was introduced to the love of his life, Judy (nee Compeau). From that day forward they were inseparable for the next 47 years. After their two children, Jeff and Sara, both settled in Ottawa they packed up their bags and moved to Kanata in 2018. The happiest moments of Papa’s (Joe’s) life has been watching his grandson Nolan (Jeff & Julie) grow up to be the creative, adventurous, and hilarious kid that he is today.

Joe’s ashes will be laid to rest at the Gananoque Cemetery in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, Dad requested that donations be sent to any one of the following organizations which were near and dear to his heart: Gananoque Humane Society, Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre, Canadian Cancer Society, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, or the Rudy Shenkman Hospice Centre.

The family would like to thank the Cancer team of Dr. Christou at the Ottawa General Hospital and the care team at the Rudy Shenkman Hospice centre for taking such good care of Dad during his treatment and in his final days.

Dad was a one of a kind soul and we were lucky to have him with us for as long as we did. The world is a little less bright and a lot less organized without him in it.