Patrick Clement O'Neill

Patrick Clement O'Neill

Born February 6, 1918 in Sumner to Eugene O'Neill and Mary Murphy O'Neill, died October 21, 2015. He was a most generous and devoted family man and a loyal friend.

Pat was raised on a farm in "The Valley" during the Great Depression. Life was a struggle, but Pat was persistent, stayed close with his family, and made the best of what he had. Those lessons learned on the farm served him well throughout his years, and were a source of strength and guidance.

A proud 1937 Sumner High graduate, Pat was a school Yell Leader and besides his chores on the farm, worked whenever he could while attending school. One of those jobs was as a "soda jerk" in the drugstore.

He loved being around people and he loved to dance. It was during a "Big Band" swing dance festival where he met his sweetheart Ruth Rawlings. They were married August 30, 1940 and during their 73 years of marriage Pat and Ruth created a home filled with kindness, generosity, fun, energy...and occasional mischief. Pat added spice to many conversations with his creative vocabulary and perspectives on anatomy, politics and social movements.

He honorably served in the Coast Guard during World War II as a Firefighter during the invasion of the Marshal Islands in the South Pacific. After military service he began employment with the Rainier Brewing Company until his retirement in 1981. During those brewery days, Pat was able to land many summer jobs for friends and family. The brewery knew if O'Neill endorsed the person they'd be a good hire. Nobody worked harder or cared more than Pat.

While raising three children in Seattle, he was active in scouting as a Leader for Scout Troop 148 and Cub Pack 144. Parents and boys met during those scouting days became the O'Neill's lifelong friends. They'd attend Husky football games together and were members of a group of dancers called the One Hundred Club. Many Saturday nights were spent cruising the dance floor and finishing with a snack at The Dog House.

Pat was a fisherman. Whether Opening Day on Jameson, Morgan's Landing in BC or joining his buddies on Ross, he was always eager to drop a line. Fishing was a great excuse to get together, to catch up, to be with friends. After retirement he began golfing. It was another opportunity to join family and friends and meet new people. It was also a chance to win "a few beans."

As the family grew, his desire to help his children and grandchildren grew with it. There was always room for an extra plate at the table or an extra family in the basement. Always room for more laughter, for more Reuben sandwiches, for another "snap"; there was always time to listen to one of his "Little Buddies" or his grandchildren explain their day, to watch his children interact with their families, and to provide bits of wisdom, much of it learned on the farm.

You knew how somebody had come to know Pat by their greeting. If they called him Clem, they knew him from The Valley. If they called him Pat, it was from Seattle. However people called him, they knew they were reaching out to a good and honest man. Someone who cared deeply for others, someone who loved his family.

Pat was preceded in death by his wife Ruth; brother, Jim; sister, Jean; and son in law Chuck. He is survived by his children Sandy Barnes (Chuck deceased), Michael O'Neill (Barb Nichols), Mary Patneaude (Jim); 7 grandchildren; Kathleen, Lori, Chad, Chris, John, Dave, Katie; and 13 great grandchildren; Keegan, Brenna, Stephan, Austin, Alayna, Clara, Nathan, Sam, Charlie, Charlotte, Peterson, Kaimyn, Oliver.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated
Monday, November 9, at 10 AM at
Assumption Catholic Church
6201 33rd Ave. N. E., Seattle 98115
Interment at 2 PM Tahoma National Cemetery.

Remembrances may be made in Pat's name to
Cub Pack #144,
7346 21st Ave NE, Seattle WA 98115.

Hoffner Fisher & Harvey
Seattle, Washington
Guestbook at harveyfuneral.com

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