Kevin M. O’Neill – consummate family man, Warren County Surrogate, and former Realtor, local businessman and teacher – died peacefully at home, Sunday, April 24, 2022, in Hackettstown, N.J. He was 76.
Kevin was born September 8, 1945, in Bayonne, N.J., and lived in Hackettstown his entire life except for a stint in Germany when he was in the Army. He attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Hackettstown High School in 1963, where he competed in track, basketball and football. He graduated from Providence College in 1967 with a bachelor’s in English, and took great pride in seeing alma mater advance through the NCAA basketball tournament.
Upon graduating from Providence, O’Neill taught English and coached football and wrestling at West Morris Central High School in Chester. His teaching career was interrupted by two years in the U.S. Army in Europe, where he was a special weapons technician. In 1972, O’Neill left teaching and entered real estate, where he spent the next 38 years. Well known in local real estate circles, he was the recipient of numerous industry awards and sold some 1,200 homes in his career.
In 2010, O’Neill was elected Warren County Surrogate and was serving in his third term at the time of his death. O’Neill was very active in the community, holding leadership positions in the Rotary, the PTA, the Bi-Centennial Celebration, the Chamber of Commerce, the hospital foundation, and others, particularly at Church of the Assumption. He served on two Boards of Education, Hackettstown and Warren Tech. In 2012, he took great pride in being named Grand Marshal for the Hackettstown St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
In 1970, O’Neill married the love of his life, the former Mary Leneé Fiedler of Hackettstown. Together they raised three wonderful children: Jennifer Lynne O’Neill (Alejandro Pieroni) of New Brunswick, January Leneé O’Neill of Hackettstown, and Jared Matthew O’Neill (Robyn) of Hackettstown. Great joy also came with four grandchildren: Anna Mae Bizzozero, Ella Grace Bizzozero, Gustavo Pieroni, and Archer Moon O’Neill.
Kevin was predeceased by his parents Jane P. O’Neill (nee Quinn) and Cornelius J. O’Neill, Jr., and his twin sister Jane Quinn O’Neill. In addition, O’Neill is survived by four siblings: Cornelius J. “Tex” O’Neill Ill (Eleanor), James P. O’Neill (Lynn), Regina K. Judge (her late husband Peter), and Eileen H. Carson (John). There are numerous nieces, nephews and cousins … in particular, Ed Palmer and Dick Burke.
The funeral service will take place Friday, April 29, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Hackettstown. Burial will take place at Pequest Union Cemetery, Great Meadows, N.J., following the service. A memorial visitation will be Thursday, April 28, 2022, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice in Kevin’s memory.
36 Condolences for O’Neill, Kevin
Condolences(36)
Maureen Tierney Hibbard says
April 25, 2022 at 6:33 pmTo the ONeill family,
I am so sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing. I can’t believe him and Janie are both gone. May the Lord bless and keep you all at this sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Maryann McFadden says
April 25, 2022 at 7:51 pmLenee, Jennifer, January & Jared, my heart is so heavy with sadness to learn of Kevin’s passing. He was such a gentle and wonderful man I am blessed to have known. Please know I am thinking of you all and praying for you during this time. I hope you will find comfort in the beautiful memories you will always hold in your heart. People may pass from us, but their love is does not. xoxo Maryann McFadden
Doug and Peg (Sheldon) Russack says
April 25, 2022 at 7:52 pmDear Lenee and family, so saddened to hear this news. Kevin was a great:man who would always help anyone who needed his help. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with you all.
Doug and Peg (Sheldon) Russack
Kathy Rich says
April 25, 2022 at 8:18 pmTo the entire O’Neill family, so sorry to hear of Kevins’ passing. As a pillar of the community, he will be truly missed. Kathy & Joe Rich
Chris Knaus says
April 25, 2022 at 8:52 pmI am so very saddened to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you ! Chris Knaus (Black)
Teri Cichlar (Stone) says
April 25, 2022 at 10:46 pmMy heart is heavy with sadness. Mr. O’Neill was one of the kindest men I have ever met. Always a warm smile and a kind word. Sending the entire family and extended family love and prayers during this difficult time. May you find comfort in your many fond memories.
Diane Viola says
April 25, 2022 at 10:54 pmI am so very sorry to hear of Kevin ‘s passing. Prayers, peace snd blessings to Jim and Lynn O’Neill, Kevin’s family and the entire O’Neill family. Friend of Lynn and Jim -Diane Viola
Donna Dunlap says
April 26, 2022 at 1:46 pmLenee and family. Sincere condolences to you and the entire family for your loss. Kevin was a great man. Let the memories flood your heart.
Lynn & Jim says
April 28, 2022 at 12:43 amThanks, Di, we love you and appreciate your thoughtful, heartfelt words.
Marty and Judy O'Hora says
April 26, 2022 at 10:18 amTo the O’Neill family,so sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing.May God grant you the strength to carry on.God Bless.
Jan and Lee Romanczyk says
April 26, 2022 at 11:10 amSo sorry to hear of the passing of Kevin. He was truly one-of-a-kind man. Not only was he friendly but he always made you feel you were important. He had a smile on his face whenever he greeted you. He will be missed.
Sharon Schlomer Housel & Pat (Florida) says
April 26, 2022 at 11:22 amWe are so very sorry to read about the passing of your loved one, Kevin. Our condolences goes out to all whose hearts were touched by this sorrowful loss.
Betti Singh says
April 26, 2022 at 12:40 pmDear Lenee and Family, I am very sorry for your loss. Know that you are on my heart and in my prayers. In Jesus’ Love,
Susan Carpenter O'Neill says
April 26, 2022 at 1:19 pmLenee , condolences to you and your family.
Diane Nordberg says
April 26, 2022 at 1:26 pmDear Lenee and family, I am so sorry to hear Kevin passed away..God will surely give you the strength to get you through is difficult time…Lenee, you were always so loving and caring and God will keep you close to his heart..will be in my prayers..love you, Diane ❤️🙏
Jackie Smith Timte says
April 26, 2022 at 2:11 pmDear Lenee and all the O’Neill family,
My deepest sympathy to the beautiful O’Neill family. May God wrap His loving arms around all of you at this very sad time, and give you His strength to help you in your grief and sadness.
Fondly,
Jackie Smith Timte
Chick and Linda Dimiceli says
April 26, 2022 at 2:43 pmTex and Lenna and the O”neill family saddened to hear of the passing of Kevin.He was a long time friend He did so much in his life.He lived a great life God bless
Janet Lake says
April 27, 2022 at 1:08 amDear Lenee and children, Kevin was a great person. He stepped in and put together the land deal for Hackettstown River Front Park even though he was told upfront the town couldn’t afford realtor fees. He never hesitated. May God reward him for his love of community. I am so sorry to hear he passed away. He loved you all dearly.
Judy Smith says
April 26, 2022 at 3:25 pmDearest Lenee and Family,
I’m so very sorry to learn that Kevin has passed away. May you find comfort in happy memories and the knowing that his love is always with you.
TIMOTHY K WALLACE says
April 26, 2022 at 5:03 pmBeing a family that lived in Hackettstown for six decades, we were blessed to know Kevin. And his role as county surrogate was such an aid to our family just this past year when our mother passed away. I am so sorry to hear of his passing, he served Hackettstown and Warren County so faithfully in more than one role. Our condolences to the extended family and especially to Lanee. Tim and Theresa Wallace
Dottie Kappers says
April 26, 2022 at 5:39 pmLenee and family, so sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing. Hang on to all the good memories it will be hard but you can do it. Prayers for you and the family.
William Skinner says
April 26, 2022 at 6:35 pmSo sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing. He will be remembered as a great person to have known. Time changes most but Kevin remained the same person we new from St. Mary’s school until present day. Thoughts and Prayers to you all.
Billl and Abby Conforti says
April 26, 2022 at 10:55 pmDear Lenee and family. Abby and I were deeply saddened by Kevin’s passing. God is now rewarding Kevin for his pure goodness and contributions to his community.
Joy and Les Snyder says
April 27, 2022 at 11:26 amLenee and family: We are so saddened to learn of the passing of our longtime friend Kevin. I worked with him in Real Estate many years ago and always knew him to be a kind and gentle human being…He has left a legacy to all who knew and loved him in the town of Hackettstown. R.I.P…Kevin…you will be very much missed….Joy and Les Snyder
Sandra Woolcock Patton says
April 27, 2022 at 11:31 amMy condolences to Lenee and family. Kevin was such a kind and good hearted soul who I’m happy to have known.
Claudia Conway & Butch Petersen says
April 27, 2022 at 1:59 pmLenee and Family,
So very sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing. He touched so many lives and helped countless others. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. We are privileged to have called him a friend.
Bev Saunders says
April 27, 2022 at 2:33 pmLenee and family: So, so sorry. It won’t be Hackettstown without Kevin O’Neill. It’s the end of an era. Blessings.
Paul & Robin Wallace says
April 27, 2022 at 9:34 pmDear O’Neill Family
There is no way for my Wife Robin and I to say anything that could possibly provide you comfort at the time of mourning.
We were just formulating a condolence for Jane, and then read of Kevin’s passing too.
I know you are hearing great things of Kevin’s Life & Service to our Town & County, and hope you all able to take so comfort in that these really are true.
Kevin will of course be missed, but the community can’t possibly bear the pain you are going through now.
Though in Christ Jesus our LORD we are assured they are both truly Home with HIM for real, the sting of separation is also real.
We pray our FATHER in Heaven will Comfort you all as only HE.
In Christ alone
Paul & Robin Wallace
Joe Lake says
April 28, 2022 at 5:03 amI knew him my whole life it seems. I will miss seeing him. Deepest sympathy to his wife Lenee and family.
Mike Grossmann says
April 28, 2022 at 2:55 pmKevin was a good friend, always concerned about the public. Served in his position as Surrogate in Warren County beyond his duty. Will be missed by all who he touched. Condolences to all his family and friends.
Doug and Susan Manhire says
April 28, 2022 at 6:44 pmDoug and I enjoyed Kevin so very much. He had a constant smile on his face and his positive attitude changed the course of the day for those around him. We will truly miss Kevin. Our deepest sympathy to all of you! Know you are all surrounded with prayer during this difficult time!
Claudia K Tiger says
April 29, 2022 at 1:18 pmI was lucky enough to have Kevin as a teacher at WM Regional. He was only a few years older than the class. Fresh out of college. What a joy and what a time we all shared with him. We would hide his briefcase daily and he enjoyed our shenanigans as much as we did I think. He saw our potential in our creativity! The success that followed him in family, friends, work for the community et al is a testament that he was really a good man. My deepest condolences to his family & friends. May all the good memories wrap your hearts in strength & peace.
Anna & Mike Knudsen says
April 29, 2022 at 2:12 pmLenee and family. So sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you through this difficult time.
Linda Waas says
April 29, 2022 at 2:34 pmDear Lenee, I am so sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing! My husband and I knew your family from attending St. Mary’s and I remember how Kevin would “volunteer” my less-social husband to be an usher (he and Mr. Daly had a special way about them that made it impossible for Rick to say “No!” Prayers for comfort and strength to you and your family.
Kevin and Karen Smith says
April 29, 2022 at 3:25 pmDear Lenee and the O’Neill family. I’m sorry to hear about Kevin. It was always a pleasure to see him. He was a true gentleman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during these times.
Vincent Rickey says
May 4, 2022 at 5:18 pmA true gentleman.
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