Obituary of James C. O'Neill

James C O'Neill, 81, of Westerleigh, passed away Friday, February 6th, at Richmond University Medical Center.

Jimmy was born and raised in Brooklyn, and learned early, the values of hard work and discipline, which he carried with him his whole life, enabling his future success in business and providing a great home for his family.

Besides his happy memories of growing up with his many cousins, some of his other happy childhood memories stem from the summers he got to spend with his relatives in Canada every other year, alternating with his little brother. These trips developed in him a lifelong love for our neighbor to the North: "None of that fake stuff, you gotta have real Canadian maple syrup!"

Jimmy enjoyed his two years in the Navy upon being drafted in 1965. He qualified as a Jet Engine Mechanic, serving as a "Plane Captain" in charge of Douglas A-3 Skywarrior maintenance aboard aircraft carriers. His fondest memories of his service were aboard the USS America, visiting Spain, Italy and Malta.

After that he embarked on his civilian career, briefly working in the aerospace industry on the West Coast, before returning to New York and trying his hand in a few different industries, and then settling into a successful career in insurance.

Soon after starting his family with his wife Joyce, they moved from Brooklyn to Staten Island to be nearer to Joyce's parents, and provide a more suburban life for his children.

He loved taking his young family to the beach and the outdoors, and fine dining also became his passion, his family becoming regulars at many of Staten Island's favorite restaurants.

Jimmy is survived by his wife Joyce, their son Brett and his wife Amparo, and their children Laney and Noah, as well as daughter Jaime and her husband Chris.