Michael James O'Neill

Michael O’Neill of Charlotte, NC, passed away on the morning of July 22, 2025 from injuries sustained in a multi-vehicle accident. Born on November 26, 1949 in Charlotte, NC, Michael was the son of the late Joseph Gerard O’Neill, Sr. and the late Martha Steele O’Neill Johnson.

Michael spent all of his growing up and adult years in Charlotte, NC.

In 1978, when uptown Charlotte had very little nightlife in the evenings, his sister, Pat, purchased a building at 118 W. 5th Street and spent a year restoring it. Michael was at her side throughout that year. In August 1979, she and Michael and their sister Booty Moran opened O’Neill’s Restaurant. They were proud to say that “O’Neill’s was a lively place to be in the evening, with live entertainment on weekends.” St. Patrick’s Day for the next five years was an event to behold in uptown Charlotte. The crowds were so large the city gave them a permit to close the street and have live music on a flat bed truck in the street to entertain the crowds that couldn’t get inside O’Neill’s. After five years, they decided it was time to close Pat’s restaurant business.

Michael spent many additional years in the restaurant business, until his love for dogs pushed him into his own dog transportation business, Happy Dog Transport, Inc. His business had him transporting dogs every week from South Carolina to Pennsylvania and New York. He continued that business until his retirement.

Michael enjoyed dabbling in oil paintings, making stained glass items, and building intricate antique ship models. Michael always loved his family and their numerous family gatherings, never missing any. He also loved his wonderful dogs at his side throughout his life.

Michael is survived by his siblings Joseph G. O’Neill, Jr., Martha O. Ausman, and Mary “Booty” Moran (Bob), his step-brother John B. “Jay” Johnson (Louise), all of Charlotte, as well as his nieces and nephews: Rob O’Neill, Kecia Treveiler, Tara O’Neill, John Ausman, Joe Ausman, Jim Ausman, Jr., Tom Ausman, Matt Ausman, Christy Chandler, and Graham Chandler. Michael is preceded in death by his parents and his step-father, J. Bracken Johnson, his sisters Patricia O’Neill and Regina O. Parsons, brother-in-law, Jim Ausman, sister-in-law Jan O’Neill, and nephew, Billy Ausman.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 16th, at 1:30pm, at Historic Elmwood Cemetery, 700 W 6th St., Charlotte, NC 28202. Afterwards, a Celebration of Life reception will be held at the home of Martha O. Ausman.