Rev. Martin J. O'Neill, O.S.A. (1910 - 1993)
Rev. Martin J. O'Neill, O.S.A. entered eternal life on February 27, 1993.
Martin John O'Neill was born on June 23, 1910 in New York, New York to Thomas and Alice (Robinson) O'Neill. He had one brother and four sisters. He was baptized on July 17, 1910 at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, New York.
On September 11, 1930, Martin was received into the Augustinian Novitiate. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 12, 1931 and solemn (permanent) vows on September 12, 1934. He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1935. Martin then pursued the course of theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C., from 1935 to 1939. He was ordained a priest on June 7, 1938 in Washington.
Father O'Neill was assigned to teach at St. Rita High School, Chicago, Illinois, in 1939. When the Augustinian Province or Our Mother of Good Counsel (Augustinians of the Midwest) was formed in 1941, he was affiliated to this new Province. He was assigned to St. Monica High School Seminary, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, as a teacher in 1942. He was then transferred in 1944 to Cascia Hall Preparatory School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served as teacher, Procurator (1944-47), and Assistant Headmaster (1947-59).
In 1959, Father O'Neill was named Rector of Mendel Catholic High School, Chicago. He was also elected to the Province Council that year. He served from 1962 to 1965 as Principal of Augustinian Academy, St. Louis, Missouri. Father O'Neill then returned to Cascia Hall, Tulsa, in 1965 and served as Headmaster until 1968. After this, he was in charge of recruiting at Cascia Hall from 1968 until 1971. He resumed teaching at Cascia Hall in 1971.
Because of failing eyesight, Father O'Neill gradually relinquished teaching duties at Cascia Hall. His years as a senior member of the Cascia Hall community were filled with activities and service for others. He died on February 27, 1993, following a long and debilitating heart ailment. He was 82.
Father O'Neill is remembered as a caring and sensitive priest who lived the Augustinian life with a faith-filled spirit.
He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Calvary Cemetery, Tulsa.
Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Online Giving Page.
