Obituary of Albert J. O'Neill

BELFAST, MAINE - ALBERT J. O’NEILL passed away into the next life on Wednesday, October 3, 2018. He was 96. Born in St. Mary’s Hospital in Orange, NJ on March 28, 1922 to his parents Albert Joseph and Helen. He resided in New Jersey until moving to Belfast in 1994, following the passing of his beloved first wife Catherine. He was raised in East Orange, NJ, began his family in Linden NJ, and raised his family in South River, NJ. Albert was known in various circles of family and friends as “Al,” “Joe,” or “Red.” Albert survived the Great Depression, and served honorably in the United States Navy during World War II, having enlisted on November 18, 1941. He was assigned to the USS Constellation in Newport, Rhode Island, and later to the USS Claxton, which saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters. The USS Claxton was damaged by shore battery in the Solomon Islands, and hit by a Japanese suicide plane during the battle of the Philippines. Albert was awarded the American Defense Ribbon, the American Area Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern Area Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon with seven battle stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two battle stars, and the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with one battle star. He was honorably discharged on November 20, 1945, with the rate of Bowswain Mate, First Class. Following his military service and prior to his retirement, he held the position of General Traffic Manager for Purolator Products and Grefco Manufacturing, both in New Jersey. Albert was a Communicant and active volunteer at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Belfast. He volunteered his services at the Parish soup kitchen, the State Prison, and at local and VA Hospitals. He also visited senior citizens that were home bound or residing in nursing homes, delivering Holy Communion to his fellow Parish members. Albert was predeceased by his parents, brothers Jack and Bill, sister Peggy, and his first wife Catherine. He is survived by his beloved wife Pauline of Southbridge, Mass., his sons Michael and his wife Elizabeth, Albert J. III and his wife Patricia, John and his wife Lori, and James, his daughter Helen Kosmo and her husband Carl, his Grandchildren Kevin, Timothy, Megan, Chad, Michele, Albert IV, and four step-children and their families. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church at 81 Court St., Belfast, ME, on Monday, October 15, 2018 at 10:00 AM. Formal Military Burial will take place at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery at 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 11:30 AM. In Lieu of Flowers, please send donations to VA Volunteer Services, 1 VA Center (135) Augusta, ME 04330.