Russell J. O'Neill

Russ O'Neill was born July 16, 1941 in Cleveland to Rosemary (Taylor) and Russell O'Neill Sr. He entered religious life after high school and was a Marianist brother for 16 years. He was a high school teacher in Pittsburgh and Dayton before becoming a teacher and assistant principal at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron. Later in his career he worked for several business and technical colleges, before becoming the Director of Continuing Education at the University of Akron, Wayne College, and then Stark State, retiring in 2013. Russ served as a Deacon for the Diocese of Youngstown for 25 years, ministering to Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Uniontown, Ohio. He shared his faith, sense of humor and love to many in his church, family, and community, and will be greatly missed by all. 

Russ was married to the love of his life, Patricia (Roth) O'Neill for 49 years. He was the proud father of Megan (David) Frederick, Kara O'Neill (Darrell Wallace), and Sean (Dena) O'Neill, and the grandfather of Hannah, Matthew, Andrew, and Zachary Frederick, and Landon Wallace. Russ was preceded in death by his parents, Russ and Rosemary O'Neill, his brother Tom O'Neill, and his sister Kathleen Kraynak. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, brother-in-law Tom Kraynak, sister-in-law Nancy O'Neill, and numerous other loving family members. 

Calling hours will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Uniontown, Ohio from 4:30-7:30 on Tuesday, November 25. Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, November 26 at 11:00 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, with a meal to follow. Private burial at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hartville Thrift Shoppe (938 W. Maple St. Hartville, OH 44632), where Russ found purpose and enjoyment volunteering as a cashier for the past several years.