Biography:

Dr. John David O’Neill was born November, 4th, 1924 on a farm near Rutherford (Lambton County), Ontario. He was one of 5 children born to John Fleming O’Neill and the former Annie Johanna Wallen. On his parents marriage record, his father’s occupation was listed as ‘farmer’ and his mother’s occupation was listed as ‘teacher’.  Dr. O’Neill was raised in Duart and his siblings were: Hazel Eileen O’Neill, Doris Winnifred O’Neil and Mildred Grace O’Neil (who died of leukaemia at the age of 2 years and 11 months) and Helen O’Neill.  His father died in Duart on the 26th of September, 1934 when Dr. O’Neill was 9 years old.  On the death record, his father’s occupation was listed as a ‘merchant’.

Dr. O’Neill was educated at the Duart Public School and Ridgetown High School. He attended the University of Western Ontario and graduated in 1946. While in school, Dr. O’Neill was an accomplished athlete. He pursued tennis, volleyball, basketball and shot put.

Dr. O’Neill worked for two years in Hamilton, before specializing in obstetrics and gynecology. During his studies he did locums in many Southern Ontario communities and eventually settled in Chatham.  Dr. O’Neill served as Chief of the departments of Obstetrical Gynecology at St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Public General Hospital. In 1965, he stepped down as the head of the departments, but continued to work in his field. In 1967 he was Chief of Staff at St Joseph’s Hospital.

Dr. O’Neill married Jessie Peterson Mair and they were the parents of 4 daughters: Jane, Patricia, Marianne and Barbara.  In 1974, the O’Neill family resided at 42 Robertson Avenue.

Dr. O’Neill belonged to Park Street United Church in Chatham and he enjoyed golf, music and bridge in his spare time.

Dr. O’Neill died at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance on the 2nd of June, 2000.  He was buried at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham.