Robert James O'Neill

Robert James O’Neill, of Holyoke, passed away on Monday, May 30, 2022.  Born at home on Westfield Road in Holyoke, MA on Thursday, November 16, 1933 to the late Loretta B. (LaRiviere) O’Neill and William J. O’Neill, Sr.  He was predeceased by his sister, Pauline T. O’Neill and a brother, William J. O’Neill, Jr.  Bob attended Blessed Sacrament School and the Holyoke Schools.  He furthered his education by attending Holyoke and Greenfield Community Colleges.  Bob served from 1952 to 1960 in the 104th Infantry 26th “Yankee Division”. He received a commendation from the Secretary of Defense for his service during the “Cold War”. Bob was a member of the Lawrence A. Wagner Chapter of the Yankee Division Veterans Association and the American Legion Post #325.  He was employed by Worthington Corporation and retired from Atlas Copco Corporation after many years of employment.  Bob was a member of the Mount Tom Lodge A.F. and A.M. serving as the Master twice, in 2002 and 2010.  An alumnus of the Masonic Leadership Institute. He served the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts as the District Deputy Grand Master for the 27th Masonic District in 2011-2012. He holds memberships in all York and Scottish Rite Bodies.  He was secretary, treasurer of the Holyoke Masonic Association for 12 years.  As a member of the Melha Shrine Military Band Bob was in the trombone section and was this units President in 2002.  Bob was elected secretary, treasurer of the Shrine Band Association of North America, a position he held for 8 years during which he traveled extensively throughout the United States.  At the 2010 Shrine Imperial Session in Toronto, Canada Bob was the President of the Shrine Band Association of North America.  He also holds membership in the Chicopee Elks Lodge 1849. Bob is survived by a nephew, William J. O’Neill, III and his wife Mary; a niece, Patricia Fournier and her husband Richard; a great nephew, Michael O’Neill; two great nieces, Jennifer O’Neill and Corrissa Fournier and many dear cousins.  The funeral will be held on Monday, June 6, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton St., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, both in Holyoke.  Burial will follow in Aspen Grove Cemetery in Ware.  A calling hour will be held at the funeral home prior to the service from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Bob to Blessed Sacrament School, 21 Westfield Road, Holyoke, MA 01040 or Perkins School for the Blind, 175 North Beacon Street, Watertown, MA 02472.

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