RIP John so sad to hear the news of your passing. I always enjoyed working with you. Judith

John was a great man.  I had the honor of knowing him through Plantronics.  I am so very shocked at this sad news.  Faith, family, and friends - John had them all and they will help his family through this time.  Mourn for him but also celebrate his life.  God bless.

I am so saddened and sorry for the family’s loss. John was an amazingly talented man and so impactful to my success in business and in life.  He transferred me to the Carolinas 32 years ago, managed and coached me, and gave me my first leadership opportunity. He challenged me through his leadership, and mentored me to heights that I never imagined as a young man. Our friendship continued throughout the years and I was always thrilled and impressed with his accomplishments in business and life. He was always a little bit better than me at everything, and we had fun with that over the years (at least he did!)

John was a special person  and I will miss his friendship forever. My sincere condolences to Ann and the family.

Worked for John for several years. He was a great boss and we had some great times. We missed him dearly when he left Bellsouth. I am so sorry for your loss and wish I could have made the celebration of life. We will keep you all in our prayers.

I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. When he joined Plantronics I had the chance to speak and then work with him on several issues and could see he was bringing a new level of professionalism and needed skills to the rapidly growing organization. He was a great teammate and always up for solid  conversations on any number of topics. He was indeed a good man. As was said here before, so many others who had the opportunity to meet John will sorely miss him in the future. Please accept our condolences and prayers

Our first date was Ann and John’s wedding! 

The Bishop England, USC law school connection and then Record Data and Bellsouth and AT&T connection. Our paths always connected.

We know and love all the O’Neill family and share your loss, 

Johnny loved his friends and family and we are blessed to be a part of that group.

God bless you all and comfort you in your grief.

Aug 2018...when Oneill met Lincoln...Richmond, Va

I am so sorry for your loss. I carry fond memories of school dances, Elk’s Club dances and Art’s Seaside where groups of us including Rusty Barrineau, Allen Young and others would join with Johnny for evenings of fun together. In elementary school at Blessed Sacrament, I rememberJohnny’s kindness towards others and in high school, I can still see him moving the ball down court with great agility. RIP John O’ Neill-you made a difference to all of us.
Dennis, sending prayers of healing. My siblings have all passed away, and I know the hurt firsthand.

John, Dennis Tate, and I were roommates at USNA during plebe year. The 3 of us depended on each other every day, just to survive the demands placed upon us.  I don't think I ever heard him sing, but he had a musicality to his sense of humor that kept me  alive and gave me  a sense that nothing could break us.
We stayed pretty close over the last 20 years. We frequently would rendezvous somewhere with Lew Fernandez and Ted Phelps...always reminiscing about our Navy days. Regularly we would remind each other of the day we, along with Dennis Dawson, each got a tattoo while we were in-port Copenhagen. We were, are, tattoo brothers.
Not the macho USN kind of tattoo ( eagles, flags, guns) but a small flower etched on our youthful rear ends. Few have ever seen them...but it was event that, along with eating moldy Cheeze Whiz while at USNA, kept us forever close.
I loved the guy. He understood me. He made me laugh. I will always carry fond memories of him. I will miss him terribly.
I pray that his family find joy and solace in knowing how much he was loved by so many.

Chris Westcott
Aka " Rogue"

This boy came crawly up to my house and I gave him a hat that made him welcomed in my house. THE U cap!

Heartbroken about my happy classmate from the 22nd company, class of '74.  My wife Charlene and I send our deepest condolences.  And, he will be sorely missed this fall at our 50th reunion....he will be sorely missed then, as he is now and always.  Charlene and Marc Pearson

To the O’Neill family, 

Sending prayers and my condolences to you all. John was one of my dad’s closest friends, and he was an amazing, caring, and kind man. He will be greatly missed. May God carry you through this difficult time. Praying for relief from grief, and for him  to always live on through your memories of him. Sending love.

Emily Chabina

To All of John's Family, 

I am so sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. 

May he rest in peace. 

David Ostrander

Dear Ann, I am shocked and so sad to hear about John. He loved you and his family very much.  He will be missed by many.
With love, Marie

John was one of my best friends when we were at the Naval Academy.  It took us until 2004 to reconnect,  but we picked up where we left off and became fast friends again.  Fun trips to Florida, Richmond and Pittsburgh with another of our classmates, Chris aka Rogue, and regular calls and almost daily texts

I will miss John every day and I will never forget him. I am heartbroken for his family.

Warm Remembrances,

Lew Fernandez

To Ann, Chris, Katie, and the entire family - I am so sorry to hear about John’s passing. John is one of my all-time favorite people to work and partner with, from our days together at Bell South/AT&T. We worked very hard, and John was smart and intense. But we had a lot of fun during the hard work as well. John had such a love for life, and I know he shared that with you all, and you shared it back. And John had a wicked good sense of humor, and that awesome mischievous smile. I will keep John’s memory in my heart, and keep you all in my prayers during this most difficult time. God Bless.

Dear Dennis and Family,

I'm so sorry to hear about Johnny's passing. I haven't seen Johnny in decades, but I'll always remember him streaking down the court during BE basketball games. And I also have fond memories of our time together during Key Club events.

With sincere sympathy,
Hal Weaver (Baltimore, MD)

Very sorry to hear of John's passing!  I worked with John at Plantronics on his global account team and enjoyed his leadership, wit and love of life--especially his family!  He will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved him.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his wonderful wife, Ann.  My God provide you peace in this difficult time.   Kevin and Lisa Chapin, Lansing, MI

My condolences to the entire O’Neill family. I truly enjoyed watching Johnny play basketball At BE. What a great competitor on a great team.  I know you all will miss him, but many will remember he passed this way.  May God bless you all.  RIP John.

Dear Ann,
 It is sad to think how many years have passed since I saw Johnny regularly for softball and card games and with you and wonderful Willie the dog.
  I knew Johnny since the first grade, and liked him from the start. He was not only filled with an exuberant, enjoyable spirit, but he unfailingly thoughtful towards others, and was someone everybody could always count on to do the right thing.
   We all greatly admired him and were so happy to be in his company,
and despite the passage of years and separate paths, he will always have a special place in my heart.
     Sincerely, Michael Trouche

Sitting in Buenos Aires, Argentina at a coffee shop is where I first truly met and spoke with John while on a Plantronics awards trip.  Little did I know that after that first conversation, I'd be offered to join the Global Account team he managed.  Led and mentored by John, this small town schmuck from Iowa grew as an individual and met some of the most cherished friends one could ever hope for.  However,  what I originally missed and now have come to fully understand, is that John was crafting a team of individuals who worked hard, enjoyed experiences, took on challenges and most of all - had fun.  In other words, he formed this team with his exact characteristics and style.   I can still see him pushing the "NO!" button in our meetings and then that hardy "laugh" and infectious smile would take over the room.  The Greece trip and driving in the mountains with him and Ann - priceless!  This one really hurts and my heart goes out to Ann and the extended O'Neill family.  Please know that John's influence and friendship will live on with all of us that had the pleasure and fortune of knowing him - the best testament one could ever hope for.

My heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the family, May the God of all comfort and tender mercies comfort and strengthen the family through this difficult time of grieving. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

1st trip to Scotland following a Plantronics sales meeting. Great time with great friends.

Johnny was an outstanding person .He was a lifelong friend  since 1st grade, a great basketball teammate in grade school and at Bishop England High School. Elaine and I send our sympathy, love and prayers to Ann, his children, grandchildren and the entire O’Neill family.  Johnny was definitely loved by all who knew him

Johnny was truly one of the good guys.  We grew up in basically the same neighborhood in Charleston. I was fortunate enough in the “early yrs”, to get to know all of his family, and he and I stayed in touch ever since. Of the many fond memories that I have of Johnny, the one that stands out the most in my mind and heart is this: When my own wife, Mary, passed away, (also too early), he was the First person to show up at the viewing, despite the fact that he lived 100 miles away from St. Vincent’s in Charlotte. I’d been pretty stoic up to that point, but that opened the floodgates.
We had a few quality minutes together, and. in Mary’s honor, he promised to pull for ND football for a full yr. (That would rank just below him pulling for the Clemson Tigers, which was scheduled to happen right after Hell had frozen over…)
Anne, you were a big part of the fond memories, and I was fortunate to spend some great times with the both of you. God Bless you and your family. Tommy S.

John was one of the most unique people I’ve ever met. I’m grateful I had the chance to know him. Nobody taught me more about life and business than John. He didn’t lecture much and wasn’t overly hands  on during my time reporting to him; he just ALWAYS did things the right way. He treated everyone the same. In his interactions with hotel clerk’s, college interns, CEO’s, customer service reps….it didn’t matter who you were, John would treat you like the most important person in the world. He was so charming and caring to everyone.  As a boss, at first John was tough and direct (and fair) on the surface, but once comfortable around you, he’d be warm, thoughtful and caring. John always asked about my boys and how they were doing in basketball and school. I really think he cared more about that than talking  business at times. John was such a great mentor for so many. He really understood what was important in life. It was great getting to see John’s softer side later on after we were done working together. He will be greatly missed. 

Rian F

John was a mentor and special person in my life - he showed me how to bring out the best in myself. Our phone calls, texts Mackie, Charlette and William as they grew, of course this paintings and the fish he caught will be forever missed.  Thank you John for being such an important part of my life.

Johnny O'Neil was truly a gentleman and scholar. At our 50th Reunion from Bishop England, I had not spoken to him in 30 years. Johnny sat next to me during the presentation and  made me laugh so hard. I told my husband when he picked me up, that I had a magical evening with an old classmate.
You will be missed my friend.

Pat Skipper
Larkspur, California

John was my friend.  Someone I could trust,  rely on,  confide in and ask for help anytime  any day.  He created our annual Geezerfest with Chris Chabina and me that provided fun, constant laughter and countless memories.  He took every opportunity to meet new people (friends) and allowed them to feel special and loved.  But above all, he loved his family. He would share photos, videos and stories about Ann, his children and grandchildren with incredible love and affection.  John was my friend but moreover an amazing human. God bless John and the entire O’Neill family.

If you're blessed, there are those in your life who invoke a grin as soon as you encounter them.  Johnny served that role for me -- and for countless others.  His smile was a welcome sight.  It held other deeper intonations he represented -- sincerity of concern, humor, remembrances, shared athletic experiences, and even the simple gesture of unbounded, lifelong friendship.   The suddenness of his passing leaves an emotional chasm for his loving family and his caring friends that can never be filled.  If Johnny taught us anything by his vitality, enthusiasm, and character, it was that we can age without becoming old.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ann and John’s entire family. I was heartbroken to hear the news of his passing. John was my boss, my mentor, but most importantly my friend. I will miss our conversations and think fondly of all the fun we had in all corners of the world. Thank you for everything you did for me and my family! While  the sadness today is immense I will think of you often and smile knowing your life was well lived. 
All my love,
Brian K

Ann and family - I am so sad to hear about John’s passing. I worked for John at Bellsouth out of Charlotte and he was always such a wonderful manager and friend to our group. His leadership positively influenced many careers including my own. Sincerely,
Jeanne Lawson

John was a great friend and we shared many good times over the years.  Our annual Dawgs versus Cocks football challenge and Monday morning concession call are great memories.  My sons and I will miss you my friend.

John was a good man. We shared many good memories. Like brothers, we had our challenges as well. Those challenges seem so trivial now. RIP John. May the family find peace and comfort through God’s guiding hand.

OBITUARY

John William O'Neill Jr.

2 April, 1952 – 13 June, 2024

Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork Chapel

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