Eugene Leo O'Neil

Eugene Leo O’Neil, 72, Beloved husband, father and grandfather, died September30, 2006 after a battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family at his home in Madison, Virginia. Gene will be remembered best for his love of dancing, gardening, pinochle and darts, high moral standards, tireless work ethic and a deep love for his wife and children. A citizen of Culpeper for nearly 40 years, he was active in community issues and performed volunteer work for Triad and the local Republican Party. He wrote a column for the Culpeper Star Exponent for many years. In 1985, he retired after more than 26 years of faithful service to the U.S. government. Throughout those years he and his wife raised four children on six continents, surviving earthquakes, military coups and the Revolution in Iran. He was born in Binghamton, New York, where he spent his early childhood on a farm. As a young man he served in the United States Navy as a communications technician after which he was employed by the New York Electric and Gas. After his government retirement Gene continued to work, first as a dispatcher for the Virginia State Police, then for the government contracting firm EDS and later Techcorps, Inc. until his final retirement in 2005. He is survived by his wife of more than 46years, Elizabeth Hilker O’Neil of Madison, VA; son Mike O’Neil of Front Royal, VA, daughter-in-law Tammy O’Neil and their children, Jarah, Jacob, Michelle, Anthony and Sandra; daughter Theresa Knight of Boston, VA, son-in-law Jeff Knight and their children, Grace, Ian, Catherine and Pierce; daughter Belinda Palmer of McLean, VA, son-in-law Jim Palmer and their children, Garrett and Rachel; daughter Erin Herbig of Clifton, VA, son-in-law Dave Herbig and their daughter Summer Gene; mother-in-law Grace Hilker Cowles; brothers James O’Neil of Rotterdam Junction, NY, Ernest O’Neil of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Richard O’Neil of Burlington, WVA and their families. Gene was preceded in death by his father James O’Neil, mother Mary O’Neil, sister Ellen Marie and brothers Michael and Martin O’Neil. The family will receive friends from 7-9p.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapels of Culpeper, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, VA. 22701. A Funeral Service will be held at 2p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 at Found and Sons Funeral Chapels of Culpeper with Father Michael Orlowsky officiating. Interment will follow at the Culpeper National Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion post 330 and VFW post 2524. In addition to flowers memorial donation may be made in his name to the Hospice of the Rapidan, P.O. Box 1715, Culpeper, VA 22701. Found And Sons Funeral Chapels of Culpeper is handling the arrangements.

Eugene Leo O'Neil

August 11, 1934 - September 30, 2006