SOUTH PORTLAND - Joseph C. "Bud" O'Neil Jr., 78, of Summit Terrace, formerly of Lowell Street, died Sunday at his home after a long illness.
He was born here, a son of Joseph C. and Marie A. Dyer O'Neil, attended Hartford, Conn., schools and was a graduate of Hartford High School. He also attended the University of Kansas.
During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps.
Mr. O'Neil was a supervisor for the Canteen Corporation in Hartford, Los Angeles and South Portland. He also worked for Stouffer Foods in Los Angeles. After returning to Maine, he worked at Drillen's Hardware Store as a cashier.
After retiring, he and his wife, Byrle worked at the William Noyes Home and the Gaia Home in South Portland until 1996. When he was working at the Noyes and Gaia Homes, he and his wife formed many special relationships with residents there. He received his state certification as a residential medication assistant at age 71.
He was a member of the Highland Park Methodist Church, Los Angeles; a member of the Hiram Masonic Lodge, South Portland and Hartford VFW Posts and Chebeague Island Grange.
Two sons, Michael J. and Steven J., both died previously.
Surviving are his wife of 37 years, Byrle E. Brewer O'Neil of South Portland; three sons, Alden J. Dyer of Portland, Joseph H. Dyer of Chebeague Island and Everett N. O'Neil of Boston; two daughters, Valerie J. Riddle of Burlington and Kate O'Neil-Blake of Raymond; a brother , Nathan D. of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters, Edith S. Myers of Venice, Fla., and Mary Alice Lessing of Princeton, N.J.; afnd nine grandchildren.
There will be no visiting hours. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road. Spring burial will be in Forest City Cemetery.
(Copied from the Portland Press Herald, December 9, 1997 )