Edward O'Neill

Edward Stephen (Steve) O’Neill January 4, 1925 – October 17, 2015 On Saturday, October 17, 2015, Edward Stephen (Steve) O’Neill, 90, passed away peacefully at home. Steve was born January 4, 1925 in Washington D.C. to James and Maud Octavia (Springmann) O’Neill of Lorton Virginia. He moved to Florida in 1974, a dream he had since serving in the U.S. Navy Air Corps at the Banana River Naval Air Station (Patrick Air Force Base) prior to leaving for the Pacific during World War II. In his years following WWII, he was a proud member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served in his local chapter in Lorton, VA for many years. He was a Civil War enthusiast in his young adulthood (with his father being born during this time in 1865) and spent time reading Civil War historical books and searching for Civil War relics throughout the hills of Virginia. Steve was an avid baseball fan since childhood. His love of baseball spanned decades, as a young man playing on the White House lawn in Washington D.C. to a Little League coach here in Brevard County Florida. He sported a proud crooked nose for his early baseball years after being hit by a baseball when he was young. He also enjoyed painting though he stopped painting in the late 1960’s, he resumed painting in the early 1980’s at the encouragement of friends. His paintings now ornate the houses of family members and even one painting was on display for sale in a local business. He lived his life in Lorton, VA (49 years) and in Cocoa Beach and Rockledge, FL (41 years). He worked in the Lorton Post Office and other local government facilities prior to retiring to Florida. He enjoyed his pontoon boat and cruising the waterways of Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands. He would help anyone with any problem. He built his first house and supervised the building of his last. He helped and guided his children with their home improvement projects like he did for many friends as well. He loved helping people with any challenge. If anyone had a problem he would go to all lengths to help it be resolved. Steve was loving, caring and always strived to put a smile on the faces of those he met or encountered. Everyone around him was spoiled by his generosity and kindness. In his later years he enjoyed reading, decorating for the holidays, visiting theme parks, putting numerous puzzles together and having family and friends around him yet still unwaveringly taking his time to make sure all were happy. He was a spirited Catholic and held the church and his religion in high regard. His faith was steadfast and unshakeable. He was a loving parent, mentor and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, four sisters and ten half brothers and sisters. He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Carolyn Jean O’Neill of Rockledge, FL; his children, son, Gary and wife Lisa O’Neill of Tall Timbers, MD, Shawn and his wife wife Liz and their daughter Megan O’Neill, of Titusville, FL, daughter Andrea and husband Daryl Tucker of Cocoa Beach, FL; step children, Michael and his wife Terri Bane and their son Anthony, Deborah and her husband David Cross and Robert Bane; 6 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren. Steve is very much loved and will be missed by many. Carolyn and his family want to express their appreciation to Wuesthoff Hospice House for the wonderful care they gave Steve. Special thanks to Mary Coffee and Shitida for their care and support to both Steve and Carolyn. A Mass of the Resurrection to celebrate his life will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 10am at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. 5655 Stadium Parkway, Viera, Florida 32940. Burial will take place at a later date with military honors. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Wuesthoff Hospice House, 661 Eyster Boulevard, Rockledge, Florida, 32955.