James Michael O’Neill, 96, a resident of Longwood, FL, passed away peacefully at his home at Cascade Heights in Longwood on December 23, 2024.
Jim was born in Chicago, IL, on May 22, 1928, one of four children of the late Irene (Welsh) and James Michael O’Neill, Sr. He graduated from St. Mel High School and DePaul University, where he studied accounting. Drafted into the US Army, he was assigned as an auditor at Western Electric, where he was hired after his army discharge and spent his entire career, rising in the ranks to become general manager of manufacturing plants in Atlanta, GA; Kearny, NJ; and Baltimore, MD; as well as Personnel Director for the company.
While working in Chicago, Jim met the love of his life, Jean Ann Kleifges; they married in August, 1950, and started raising their family in the city. They then moved to Downers Grove, IL, and eventually several other states as required by Jim’s career with Western. Retiring with the breakup of the Bell System in 1984, Jim and Jean chose Key West, FL as their base, and from there enjoyed many years exploring North America in their camper van. In addition to his love of traveling, Jim was an avid reader and boater, owning several boats over the years ending with a live-aboard sailboat, the Second Wind.
Predeceased by his parents, sisters Dorothy (Brennan) and Irene, his beloved wife Jean and son Brian, Jim will be deeply missed by his brother Bill; son Jim and his wife Carol; daughter-in-law Teresa; grandchildren Jim (Heather), Michael (Alison), Matthew, Timothy (Michelle) and Gwyneth (Geoff); and two great-grandchildren.