In Memory Of

Mr. Daniel Joseph
O'Neill
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Service Information

A special request;

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donation be made to the March of Dimes

Obituary

Daniel Joseph O’Neill passed away peacefully on February 23, 2023, at the age of 85. A 47-year resident of Garden City, NY, Dan was the son of Irish immigrants, the late Catherine Early (The Rock, County Tyrone) and Daniel O’Neill (Cahersiveen, County Kerry); he grew up in Riverdale, the Bronx, NY. Dan was the devoted husband of 62 years to his dearest June Marie Kelly O’Neill.  Dad will be deeply missed by his children: Daniel, Jr (Catherine), Kerry Wallace (Daniel), Elizabeth Mercadante (James), William (Mary), Brian (Victoria) and Peter.  His nine treasured grandchildren remained a constant joy in his life: Bridget O’Neill Klimaszewski (Justin), Conor Mercadante, Daniel O’Neill III (Schuyler), Kevin Mercadante, Christopher Mercadante, Brian O’Neill Jr., Catherine Wallace, Hannah O’Neill, and Thomas O’Neill. He took special pride in his great-granddaughter Kelly Houston Klimaszewski, considered by him simply as “The Best!”
   
Dan is also survived by his loving sisters Mary Margaret Henshaw (Raymond) and Kathleen Flynn (John), as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.   

Dan was born on April 15, 1937, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York.  A proud graduate of Fordham Preparatory School (1955), College of the Holy Cross (1959) and Fordham Law School (1962), he pursued a highly successful legal career of over 40 years. From 1962 to 1965, he served as Captain in the United States Air Force, Air Defense Command, 52nd Combat Support Group, Judge Advocate General Corps, Suffolk County Air Force Base, Westhampton Beach N.Y. Captain O’Neill was commended with an award rare for a military lawyer for his “superior legal assistance given to military personnel and dependents, especially those going to Vietnam, and his untiring efforts in promoting civil and military relationships.”

After his U.S. Air Force service, Dan began his 37-year career at the New York firm of Chadbourne & Parke, LLP. He was made partner of the firm in 1972. His early work at Chadbourne focused on aviation-related litigation for a major global airline. As his practice expanded to large and diverse litigation matters, Dan developed a reputation as a reliable, trusted advisor and an effective, passionate client advocate who was not known to “sheath the sword.” His work took him on many global travels to places in Europe, India, and the Middle East, but he took his greatest enjoyment from his close personal friendships with his colleagues at Chadbourne and his clients.

Dan treasured his and June’s time with their children, grandchildren, and extended family, and he took great pride in all their accomplishments. He was a constant presence in their lives: vacationing, cheering at sporting events (and tailgating), fishing on the “Tranquility” in Hampton Bays, golfing at Hempstead Country Club, skiing at Stratton Mountain, and celebrating their graduations, marriages, and successes throughout their lives.

A fiercely proud Irishman, Dan’s many trips to Ireland to visit his aunts, uncles, and cousins were very special to him. In 2010, Dan and June brought the entire family to Ireland for their 50 th anniversary. On this ” Trip of a Lifetime,” theycelebrated with many wonderful meals, golf and the renewal of their wedding vows in Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church of the Holy Cross in Cahersiveen. In Dad’s final days, guided by his Junie, he would revisit that wonderful time again and again through his beautiful photo book which was always near his side.  

Pater Familias, Father of the Family, would be a Roman honorarium with which Dan would be very familiar, but he would likely reject it. For all of us, he is always Dad, Grandpa and Danny Boy. He led an amazing life, but, for him, his finest accomplishment was always his family, and his greatest happiness was being with his Junie at home with all the kids. Godspeed Danny Boy.

The family invites everyone to services that will be held to celebrate Dan’s life.  Visitation will be held at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home in Garden City on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 9:45 AM at the Church of St. Joseph in Garden City, followed by the Rite of Committal at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the March of Dimes in his memory.

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