William F. O’Neill

O’Neill, William F. of Abington, formerly of Braintree, died March 19, 2023. He was 67.

Bill was a fierce and large presence within his family and friends as well as the community around him fighting endlessly for social justice and the equality of others. He was an activist by nature and willing to speak out against injustice no matter the cost to himself.

He was a pillar of his church community at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Braintree for many years serving as President for some time and held many leadership positions during his time there.

He held several board positions within the Braintree community, a town meeting member, ran for Town Clerk and School Committee all in service to his fellow town’s people.

His most valued gift was to his children and grandchildren taking the brave move to become sober for the past thirty-six years with the help and guidance of so many friends in Alcoholics Anonymous who came before him. Changing the course of the generational trauma of alcoholism became the most impactful act of his life. We are forever grateful and will miss his ever-large presence.

Loving husband to Carol F. O’Neill of Abington. Cherished father to Chris O’Neill and his wife Jane of Abington, Greg O’Neill and his wife Katie of Abington, and Meagan Rebelo and her husband Adam of Bridgewater. Brother to Cathy Brinkert and her husband Herb, Christine Driscoll and her husband Jim, Jim O’Neill and his wife Marie, Janet Azuley and her husband Richard, Dennis O’Neill and his wife Christine, and Doreen Caddick and her husband Dave. Papa to Emma O’Neill, Addison O’Neill, Derek O’Neill, Sadie O’Neill, Cameron O’Neill, John O’Neill, Alden Rebelo, and Michael Rebelo. Predeceased by his dear friend Joe Musso.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Thursday 4-8 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). Funeral service will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM in Unitarian Universalist Church of Weymouth, located at 83 Sea Street, Weymouth. In lieu of flowers, donations in William’s name may be made to the Lewy body Dementia Association or Unitarian Universalist Church of Weymouth.