Paul Edward O'Neill

""Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones" Psalms 116:15. Paul Edward O'Neill a beloved son of God died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, September 14, 2016. He was 93 and a resident of Baton Rouge. Visitation will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Baton Rouge on Saturday, September 17th. from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Miles Walsh and concelebrated by Rev. Cleo Milano, Rev. Gerard Young, Rev. Sam Maranto, and Rev. Mike Collins. Private burial to follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Paul was born the third of seven children in Vancouver, B.C., Canada in 1923. Subsequently, his family relocated to Raceland, Louisiana where he spent his boyhood immersed in the rich Acadian culture on Bayou Lafourche or as he liked to refer to it " God's Country". Soon after his high school graduation as the war clouds began to gather Paul enlisted in the army at the age of nineteen in 1943 and ultimately was assigned to General William Simpson's 9th. Army serving throughout Europe and earning three battle stars , including The Battle of the Bulge, The Rhineland and Central Europe. He married the "JOY" of his life Joycelyn Mary Creighton in 1944 and together they built a loving union lasting seventy-two years that produced five children, one daughter and four sons. After being hired at Esso Refinery after the war Paul and Joy decided to raise their family in Baton Rouge where he built a successful career at Exxon rising to become one of foremost experts on catalytic cracking units and refinery turnarounds. Exxon sent him all over the world to consult until his retirement in 1981 whereupon he formed his own consulting company Paul O'Neill and Associates. Paul's Catholic faith was the cornerstone of his life and he lived it in quite service to others. He was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Holy Name Society, K. C. Council 3331. He devoted many years of service to Our Lady of Lake Hospital serving as a Eucharistic Minister and later as a Pastoral Assistant. He served in numerous leadership positions in St. Gerard Majella parish as well as Redemptorist High School and was inducted into the Hall of Fame there in 2005 where he was known as the Voice of the Wolves for over 50 years. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Vincent and Elizabeth McGurghan O'Neill, brothers, Joseph, Patrick, Donald, and sister Elizabeth O. Fullerton. He is survived by his loving wife, Joy, his five children and their spouses, Paula (Joe) Melancon, Paul II (Susan) O'Neill, Philip (Judy) O'Neill, Michael (Charlyn) O'Neill and Tom O'Neill. Eleven grandchildren; Lisa (Thomas) Ganucheau, Nicole (Rick) Fairess, Brent (Mendy) Melancon, Meghan (Michael) and Middleton Paul E. O'Neill III, Michael T. O'Neill II, Lauren E. O'Neill, Erin V. O'Neill, Glynn Auburn O'Neill, Philip O'Neill and Kelly C. O'Neill; fourteen great-grandchildren. Mary Clare and John Ganucheau, Bailey and Aubrey Fairess, Caroline, Katherine, Elizabeth ,and Beau Melancon, Olivia, Harrison, and Michael Ann Middleton, and Michael T. O'Neill III, Lilliana, and Evelyn O'Neill. His Brother, Frank and wife Louise O'Neill and sister and brother-in-law Mary Catherine and Jerry Camus. Sister-in-law Charleen Landry and husband Don Landry, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Paul was a kind and humble man who loved his family deeply and cherished his friends. He never encountered a person without acknowledging their human dignity and speaking a kind word. His family is ever grateful to all who offered kindness, care, and love to him. Special thanks to his doctors, Dr. Andrew Rees, Dr. Michael Rolfsen, Dr. Benton Dupont, Dr. Tom Meek, Dr. Stephen Antrobus and Dr. Thomas Hansbrough as well as his devoted caregivers, Joyce Slaughter and Lois Dominque and Hospice of Baton Rouge. Charitable donations in Paul's memory may be made to the Blessed Seelos Shrine, 919 Josephine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 or Society of St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Office Box 127, Baton Rouge, LA 70821 or Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Seigen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA. Rabenhorst Funeral Home in Baton Rouge is in charge of the arrangements.