It is with great sadness that the family of Raymond Andrew O’Neill announces his passing on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the age of 72 years. Predeceased by his parents John (Jack) O’Neill and Mary (Firth) O’Neill; brothers Bruce, 1972 and John, 2008 (Ottawa). Leaving to mourn his much loved son Matthew, to whom he was devoted; Matthew’s mother Barbara (Mercer); siblings Janet Hudson (Bill), Sheila O’Brian (Pat), Bedford, NS, and Bob (Vickie); sister in law Janyce Oliver (Kevin) and brother in law David Mercer (Claudette); and a large circle of family and friends.
Ray had a great love for the City of St. John’s and a long and distinguished involvement as a tireless volunteer in many community groups and charitable organizations. He served as St. John’s City Councilor for 20 years, which included a term as Deputy Mayor and national president of Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). Ray was Executive Director and President of Newfoundland Safety Council for 30 years until his retirement in 2000.
Special thanks to the exceptional staff of Pleasant View Towers Unit 1 South West and his final days at 3 North West.
Cremation has taken place. The family will accept visitors at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, on Wednesday July 11 from 7-9 p.m. and Thursday July 12 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at The Basilica of St. John the Baptist on Friday July 13 at 9:30 a.m. Private inurnment to take place at a later date.
Donations may be made in Ray’s honor to the Mount Pearl Special Olympics or the Huntington’s Society of Newfoundland.
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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The Basilica of St. John the Baptist
Bea and Matthew,
I came across Ray’s obituary by complete accident
whilst reading a news article in the Telegram. I am saddened by the loss of this incredible human but grateful he is now at peace. My sincerest condolences to you both and to your family moving forward. He made a lasting impact on the landscape of St.John’s in his political and professional career at NSC. He will be greatly missed by many.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you both at this most difficult time. May Ray rest in peace.
Barb and Mathew: Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Take care.
Barbara, Matthew and family.
Sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. In any conversation I ever had with him it was always serious as well as humorous. He was the kind of guy that brightened the room. My condolences to you and his numerous friends on the passing of a great NLer. God Bless
Barbara and Matthew. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
My deepest condolences to all of Ray’s family and freinds. I knew Ray growing up in St. John’s and he was and still is a nice guy and great person. Rest in peace..
Barbara, Matthew and family:
Sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. Had some good laughs when Matthew and Ray were involved in Scouts and the trip to the National Jamboree in PEI.
Melvin D. Crewe and family
Janet and family,
Please accept my sincere condolences. You are in my prayers. May he rest in peace.
Dear Barbara, Matthew & Family,
Sincere condolences on Ray’s passing.
Sincerely,
Sheila and family,
So sorry for your loss, we are thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Steven, Paula, Mitchell and Katherine O’Brien
I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to Ray’s entire family. As a longtime friend of Barbara, her siblings, and each of their families, I share in their loss at this most difficult time.
Bob and family,
My heart goes out to you and your family at this difficult time.
Yvonne Moore
Janet and family – so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. Ray was a good boss in my first job working at the Newfoundland Safety Council. May he rest in peace
Matthew and Barb,
Sincere condolences on your loss. Sending love and prayers.
Barb, I am so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. I remember the good times and your great hosting. Please God he is in a better place. God love you and Matthew and may you find solace in that he is in a better place and can now look out for you both. Total sincerity…… John Flood
Janet and family,
Sorry to hear of Ray’s passing. We will remember him fondly.
Greg and MaryBeth Twining
R.I.P. and may The Sacred Heart Of Jesus Shine upon your soul
Barb and Matthew ,
Sorry for your loss ,
Take care and may God bless …
Sincerely with love , XO
Sheila, I am so sorry for your loss. My condolences to your family. May he rest in peace.
Dear Barb & Matthew:
I’m so sorry to read of Ray’s passing. Ray was always a pleasure and enjoyed our various Harvey’s Travel outings, especially our curling nights.
With my sincerest condolences,
Rhonda
Condolences to Ray’s family and friends. I worked at the Nfld. Safety Council for a few years and saw his dedication to driver education and safety. I also overlapped with him briefly at the City of St. John’s, where he served for a long time as a member of Council. Rest in peace.
Janet, so sorry to hear about Ray’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Matthew, Barb & the O’Neil Family….I go back to the old days of St. Bon’s with Ray, and later worked for him at Driver Education. “The long drive is over Ray…rest in peace”
Our heartfelt condolences to Ray’s family and friends. He made great contributions to St.John’s & Newfoundland & Labrador and worked tirelessly to bring Road/Driver Safety where it is today……resulting in saving many lives over the years. He is now in in final resting place.
Our prayers are with you all.
My condolences on Ray’s passing. I knew Ray for
many years as a neighbor, growing up in the East End of St. John’s and in a professional capacity working as Executive Directors for non -profit corporations. Ray was dedicated to the many areas of his involvement,mainly, The Newfoundland Safety Council and the city of St. John’s. He has certainly made positive contributions to the environment in which he lived and worked.
Our sincere condolences Sheila, Pat and family on the loss of your brother. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May your memories bring you comfort.
Kathy and Peter, Amherst Shore
Ray had an honest tongue and a big heart. I knew him as a newsmaker (from many interviews) and a friend. He often talked about his love for Matthew. I have prayed for Ray daily for a long time; now he joins those I pray to, asking they put in a good word for me to God. Thanks Ray for being part of my life journey, and to his family, for lending him to us over the years.
I used to work in the same downtown building as the Safety Council and would bump into Ray on occasion. He was a kind and generous man and enjoyed a good laugh. I was so sorry to hear of his passing. My deepest condolences.
so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing sending condolences to the family.
so sorry to hear of Ray’s passing sending condolences to the familys
Matthew , Barbara and families
We are so sad to hear of Ray’s passing. We have so
many lovely memories of our time spent together
in past years. Please know we are thinking of you
at this difficult time.
Sincere condolences ,
Dale and Les
It’s with great sadness that I just learned of Ray’s passing.. My condolences to all of his family and friends. He was just a great guy, and my very first “serious” boyfriend. I have many fond memories of lots of good times and iI spent many hours at his family home. Very sad to hear of his passing.