John D. O' Neil, Sr, 96, formerly a resident of Springfield, MA died on March 30, 2010. He was born on January 15, 1914 in McAdam, New Brunswick, Canada to John Joseph O'Neil and Charlotte (Evans) O'Neil. When he came to this country in 1930, he started his career in the bus business with the Gray Line of Boston as an apprentice mechanic. Throughout his career he worked as a mechanic for such companies as the Blue Line of NY, Trailways of NE, The Short Line of CT, and retired from Peter Pan Bus Lines in 1976.He was a member of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1512. He served briefly in the Army at the end of World War II. John was a longtime communicant of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church. He was active in the Springfield Civic Center and Pine Point Branches of the Springfield Golden Agers, holding various offices and participated in their annual show which he enjoyed very much. He was an amazing person and throughout his lifetime seemed to enjoy everything and everyone. John was a quiet person with a joyful personality and disposition along with his great sense of humor. He always set a wonderful example to his family on how to live their lives with honesty, courage, smiles and laughter. He will be greatly missed. John was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Rita (McNelis) in 1971 and by his second wife, Lucy (Cote) in 1987. John leaves 2 children, John D, O'Neil, Jr. and his partner, Robbin Deuso of Springfield and Elizabeth O'Neil Geib and her husband Timothy F. Geib of Wilbraham with whom he lived. He was predeceased by his daughter, Sheila O'Neil Ryan, RN in 2001 and his son, SPD Det., Kevin C. O'Neil in 2004. He leaves 3 sisters , Betty Gill of Quincy, Joan Pardi of Revere and Joy Shone of Walpole, 3 sisters-in-law, Alice McNelis Winsor of Randolph, MA, Sr. Marie Alice McNelis, SND of Ipswich, MA and Evelyn McNelis of NH.He was also predeceased by 3 sisters, Agnes O'Neil, Mary J, O'Neil and Norma Sloan. A brother, Maurice J. O'Neil also predeceased him. He leaves his daughters-in-law, Kathleen O'Neil of Chicopee and Suzanne Joyal of Springfield and his son-in-law, Herbert Ryan of Randolph, his 5 Grandchildren; Carrie Kagan, Todd O'Neil, Kristine O'Neil and Melissa and Daniel Ryan, 6 step grandchildren; Timothy Geib, Carolyn Santella, Stephen Geib, Andrew Geib, Georgia O'Meara and Peter Geib. He also leaves 6 great-grandchildren and 13 step great-grandchildren. He leaves his cherished friend of many years, Yvonne Nelson of Springfield, and many dear nieces and nephews and dear cousins in Canada. "GOODBYE JOHNNY DEAR". The family would like to thank the entire staff of JGS Services of Longmeadow for their wonderful care of our Dad. And to Charlene Drake and staff of Wernick Adult Day Care for their constant concern, care, support and respect for the dignity of the disabled and infirmed. Thanks also to Alice Brown of GSS for her compassion, humor and wonderful smile while caring for Dad. Visiting hours for John are Monday, April 5, 2010 from 4-7pm at Sampson's Chapel of The Acres Funeral Home, 21 Tinkham Rd. in Springfield, MA. His funeral is Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 8:30am from Sampson's Chapel of the Acres followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Cecilia's Church, 42 Main St, Wilbraham, MA, with Rites of Committal to follow in St. Michael's Cemetery, 1601 State St, Springfield, MA. Donations may be made in John's memory to Wernick Adult Day Care, c/o Charlene Drake, 770 Converse St,, Longmeadow, MA 01106 or to the Greater Springfield Senior Services, Inc., 66 Industry Ave., Suite 9, Springfield, MA 01104.