DENNIS MICHAEL O'NEILL

Dennis Michael O'Neill passed away and joined God, his Higher Power on Friday, September 17, 2010. Dennis was born May 20, 1935, to Charles O'Neill and Celia Gavigan O'Neill in the Bronx, New York City, New York, his mother and father both having predeceased him. He leaves behind loving cousins, Maureen McGovern, of The Bronx, New York, New York and Patrick McGovern of Williamsville, New York. Dennis' mother, Celia, emigrated from Ireland to the United States in the early part of the twentieth century and Dennis cared for her in the last years of her life before she died in 2001. Dennis was rightfully proud of his Irish heritage, and on St. Patrick's Day he could be heard to sing some old Irish ballads with more than a hint of a brogue. For over 15 years, Dennis was a member of the Catholic Order of the Marist Brothers, a teaching order, during which time he obtained advanced degrees in English and Counseling. He taught and counseled while in the Order, and after leaving the Order, went into business for himself, moving to Panama City, Florida over 25 years ago. He spent almost the last 40 years of his life counseling, comforting, and giving spiritual direction to hundreds of troubled people with substance abuse and emotional problems. He believed fervently that a person's purpose on earth was to be willing to be available to be of service to others, and his life exemplified this over and over. His spiritual guidance touched hundreds and possibly thousands of people who might not now be productive members of society had it not been for Dennis' love, direction and guidance. To those who were fortunate enough to live for any amount of time under Dennis' spiritual umbrella, he would often recite his favorite traditional Irish benediction:
"May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand."
An open memorial service will be held in the chapel at Wilson Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may be placed in a basket at a 12 step recovery program meeting or given to Covenant Hospice.

Wilson Funeral Home