Stephen O'Neill

Stephen John O’Neill, beloved father and grandfather, died unexpectedly on April 27th at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was the widower of Patricia (McMahon) O’Neill.
Born on July 7, 1932, in Waterbury, Steve was the son of the late Edmund and Lauretta (Barlow) O’Neill. Growing up in Naugatuck with his late brother, Brian, he attended St. Francis of Assisi School, and remained a life-long member of the St. Francis Parish. Thereafter, he attended Sacred Heart High School, where he played guard on the 1949 New England Championship basketball team. After graduating high school, Steve enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he served for three years as a cryptographer. Upon discharge, Steve enrolled at the University of Chicago, completing his bachelors and juris doctorate degrees in six years.
Following a brief stint in private practice in Washington, D.C., Steve returned to Connecticut and began working at the juvenile court in Bridgeport, where he met his future wife, who worked with him as a social worker. Settling in Waterbury, Steve and Pat had three sons, two of which survive him: Darren and his wife, Nancy, of Somers, CT; and Terry and his wife, Christina, of Southbury, CT. In his death, Steve is reunited with his son, Patrick.
In 1964, Steve began work as an Assistant Attorney General, where he worked for thirty-three years, serving under six Attorneys General. Over the course of his tenure, Steve tried hundreds of cases, representing virtually every state agency. He developed a particular expertise in corrections law, and represented the state’s prison system from its inception until his retirement in 1997. During that time, Steve tried several hundred cases, and represented the State of Connecticut in all of the state and federal appellate courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Far more important to Steve than his professional accomplishments were the many dear relationships he made with his colleagues and friends at the Attorney General’s Office, the Department of Correction and the Board of Parole.
After his retirement, Steve maintained an active role in local AA groups, serving as a mentor and meeting facilitator at several locations around the Waterbury area. Steve also maintained close friendships with his neighbors on Oakland Avenue and with his favorite high school teammate. Our family is eternally grateful for the kindness, strength and support he received from his friends and pray for their good health.
In more recent years, Steve was a devoted and proud grandfather of five grandchildren, Daniel, Matthew, Erin, Brenden and Robert. He enjoyed getting together with the kids and playing backyard baseball, basketball and touch football.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. from the Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home, 82 Fairview Ave, Naugatuck to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 318 Church St, Naugatuck for a mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Friday, April 30, 2010 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made in Steve’s name to: Morris Foundation, 402 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702.

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