Robert J. "Bob" O'Neil

Robert ""Bob"" J. O'Neil, 84, of Venice, FL, formerly of Chicopee, MA, died on August 29, 2014 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Springfield, MA to the late John F. O'Neil and Nora V. O'Neil. He grew up in Chicopee and attended local schools and was a 1947 graduate of Chicopee High School. Robert then graduated from the Western Mass School of Pharmacy in 1951, then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1955. After working locally as a pharmacist for three years, he opened O'Neil's Pharmacy on Newbury Street in Chicopee in 1957. Robert married his beloved wife, Eleanor R. Kuchta in 1959. He pioneered computerized medical records for nursing homes in the Western Mass area and developed mobilized drug distribution systems for nursing and retirement homes. He was a member of Western Mass Pharmaceutical Association and a charter member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. Robert became president and general manager of Sterling Health Systems in Springfield, MA until his retirement in 1996. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Eleanor O'Neil of Venice, FL; sons Kevin (Suzanne) O'Neil of Holyoke, MA, Brian (Leslie) O'Neil of Chicopee, MA, and Michael O'Neil of Newton, MA; and grandchildren Meghan, Patrick, Brendan, and Kristina. There are no local services planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities Agency, 65 Elliot Street, Springfield, MA 01105, to Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. Shailaja Raj, 12902 Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612 to further their sarcoma research, or to TideWell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.