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William J. “Bill” O’Neil

Family & friends are invited to attend Visiting Hours on Sunday, October 24th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., in the Vertuccio & Smith, Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Rt. 107) REVERE for William J. “Bill’ O’Neil, who died on Tuesday, October 19th at the Massachusetts General Hospital as a result of sustaining a brain injury that occurred on July 29th, 2020 while at home. Bill, with his family by his side every step of the way, with the love, support & prayers battled towards recovery. He was 74 years old. A funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Monday, October 25th at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., REVERE at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held privately.

Bill was born in Newport Rhode Island to Charles & Catherine E. (Donovan) O’Neil. He & his siblings lived in Newport until Bill was 10 years old and the family moved to New Bedford. Bill was educated in New Bedford Public Schools and was an alumnus of New Bedford High School, Class of 1965. He attended Dartmouth College and then entered the workforce. Bill worked various jobs, before beginning a career with the newly opened franchises, Dunkin Donuts. Bill became a lead baker and then relocated in Revere. He worked at the Dunkin Donuts at Belle Circle for many years. He later went on to work for New England Caterers & Docy Donuts. He would eventually leave the baking business and joined the Laborer’s Union.  During a hiatus in construction, Bill worked at Vertuccio Home for Funerals for 10 years, then returning to the Laborer’s Union Local #22. In 1982, Bill married his wife Elaina M. Ricciardelli. The couple moved to Revere where they raised their son Brandon & daughter Taylor. Bill loved to work in his garden at home. Anyone who knew Bill, knew that his front yard gardens displays were pure beauty, and it was all a result of his creativity. He was also known for his many wonderful & large holiday displays that he would create every year. His unfortunate accident while at home was tragic and now his suffering is over and he is now at peace & restored. Elaina, Brandon & Taylor are most grateful for the wonderful care & support from all of the nurses & staff provided to Bill at the Brighton House, and all of the overwhelming love, support & prayers they received as they had to endure this journey.

He is the devoted husband of 39 years to Elaina M. (Ricciardelli) O’Neil of Revere. Cherished father of Brandon C. O’Neil & Taylor M. O’Neil, both of Revere. Dear brother of James O’Neil of New Bedford, Margaret M. “Peggy” O’Neil of W. Covina, CA, John O’Neil & wife Kay of Carson City, NV, the late Charles O’Neil & Maureen Kevan & her late husband Jack Kevan. He is also lovingly survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, along with many friends.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Brighton House Activities Fund, 170 Corey Rd., Brighton, MA 02135.

Services

Visiting Hours

Sunday, October 24th from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass

Monday, October 25th at 11:00 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Revere

Interment

Will be Private

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6 Messages Send your condolences
  1. Marguerite Bova
    Oct 26 2021

    Brandon and Family,
    I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. May God be with him and all of you at this very difficult time. My heart and prayers are with you ❤️

  2. Lisa Mirasolo
    Oct 24 2021

    I will remember your husband/dad with fondness. Here’s why. I couldn’t parallel park if my life depended on it. One day, I was trying my hardest to parallel park in front of the shop. There was a man sitting in the car behind where I was trying to get in. Because I had this audience, I would not give up. I’d pull up and back up, pull up and back up… I can’t tell you how many times. I was wishing the guy behind me would pull out or pull away. But, no he stood there the whole time watching me. Finally, I was in! Whew! As I step out of my car, who steps out of the car behind me… Bill O’Neil. He gave me a small round of applause and then congratulated me on my driving skills and ability to parallel park in such a small space without hitting anything. So, now, I have no fear of parallel parking; I can park my car anywhere. Since Bill’s now in heaven with God, I just named him my new co-pilot. God bless!

  3. Dyan Palladino
    Oct 23 2021

    Dear Elaina and Brandon and Taylor. I am so very sorry for the loss of your husband and father. You have all had a long hard journey . I pray and I am sure he’s made his way to heaven and resting in peace. Be strong just like your Mom.

  4. Joanne (Bidder) Jumper
    Oct 20 2021

    Elayna, Brandon & Taylor,

    I’m so very sorry for the loss of your husband and father. Take consolation in knowing that Bill is no longer in any pain, and that he is whole again….He will forever live on in your hearts! Hugs to you all…

  5. Maureen Walsh
    Oct 20 2021

    My heart breaks for you, Brandon and Taylor. May Bill rest peacefully
    in Heaven and be your guardian Angel. Prayers for comfort and strength to the O’Neil family, God Bless ❤️

  6. Elaine Antonucci
    Oct 20 2021

    Dear Elaina & Family: May the special things about your loved one live on inside your hearts forever.

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To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.
On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.
Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.
Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.
Thank you for your friendship and continued support.
God bless you all.
Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.

To all our families, friends, and residents of Revere, East Boston, and surrounding communities of the North Shore,

We would like to announce that after 37 years of caring for thousands of families at our 773 Broadway location, on January 31st, 2023 we will be officially RELOCATING, to our new location at 262 Beach St., Revere.

On September 30th, 2022, we proudly purchased the Vazza “Beechwood” Funeral Home – DiPietro and Vazza, Inc. A name that has served families for 102 years. We feel blessed that with all of the interest, the Vazza Family chose us to carry on their century old business and family name. We will become Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals. We will continue to honor the Vazza name and continue our commitment the same way that we always have. We also look forward to having both Louis Vazza and Jessica Vazza Ferragamo alongside of us, as we come together as one.

Our reputation has always been our biggest asset. For many years people always wanted us to have a larger facility, now our facility is the largest funeral home in the area. We will be making many beautiful upgrades to allow our families to have the most elegant facility to honor their loved one.

Although this announcement is bittersweet, as we say goodbye to our home, we are forever grateful for all of you for placing your constant faith and trust in us to care for your loved one. We will continue to do what we are best known for.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support.

God bless you all.

Faithfully,

Your friends at Vertuccio Smith and Vazza.