James B. O'Neill

Lewiston - James B. O'Neill 76, of 1 Ledges Court died Friday May 25, 2012 at Ste. Marguerite d'Youville Pavilion. Born in Norwich, CT June 21, 1935 the son of the late Martin L. & Hildur Scholander O'Neill he attended Griswold High School and graduated from the Choate School in Wallingford, CT in 1954. He received a degree in Classics from Brown University in 1958. He served in the Enlisted Reserve and worked as a Stock Broker in Boston in the 1960's. In 1974 he relocated his family to Waterville, ME where he opened The Cheese Shop and later became an English teacher. He was an enthusiastic member of the Waterville Players and served on the Waterville zoning board. Fate intervened when he met the love of his life Eloise (La Fontaine) Moreau in 1991 and moved to Lewiston, ME in 1994. He fell in love with Lewiston, was an active participant and served on the Board of Directors of Senior College and was a volunteer with Literacy Volunteers. He deeply cherished his two decades in Lewiston where he was able to spend time with his family, travel, and continue his journey as a lifelong learner. He will be remembered as an avid storyteller, recounting humorous and sometimes embellished stories. He always said his love of cooking and his love of football were in his DNA; the cooking from his mother who taught Home Ec. and the football from his father who was the first All American Candidate for UCONN in 1922 (later to be seen in his sons and grandsons who played for UNH). He had an eclectic taste in music, loving everything from classical Beethoven to show tunes. He was gentle, witty, quirky, and passionate, especially when it came to current events. He was an avid reader, taking a particular interest in archaeological journals. He maintained lifelong friendships from California to Jewett City, CT where he had special ties to his classmates at St. Mary's Grammar School. He enjoyed Friday lunches with Uncle Rosie, finding solutions to the problems of the world. His rewards in life were his grandchildren, whom he cherished with his entire being. He enriched the lives of those fortunate enough to know him and although he is no longer with us, the love and memories he gave us will always remain. He is survived by his wife the former Eloise La Fontaine (Moreau) O'Neill of Lewiston whom he married November 8, 1997, two daughters Suzanne O'Neill of Brunswick, Elizabeth O'Neill and husband Graham Haynes of Falmouth, two sons, J. Brian O'Neill and wife Leslie of Manchester, NH, Matthew O'Neill and wife Seni of Atlanta, GA and their mother Ann Dailey who predeceased him, his ten grandchildren, Molly Madore, Ben Kormann, Catherine, Seamus, Mairin, Keelin O'Neill, Henry Haynes, Dresden O'Neill, Alexandra and Eliza Cody and his cousins Kristina Fromen Kendall and David Kendall predeceased of Erie, PA. The family wishes to thank Dr. William Lee and Dr. Maylene Peralta of CMMC and the staff of three East at d'Youville Pavilion Online condolences may be shared at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday June 16 at 11:00 am at The Fortin Group Auburn. Donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association The Maine Chapter, 170 US Rt 1 Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 0410 for Research and Development.