Robert Richard O'Neill

Robert Richard O’Neill, age 77, of Middletown, DE, passed away on Friday, August 25, 2017. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on March 29, 1940 to the late Robert J. and Dorothy H. O’Neill (nee Maher), resided in NJ, and then retired to Delaware. He attended the John Jay College of Criminal Justice while serving as a police officer. He served with distinction in the Eight-four Precinct of the NYC Police Department for 22 years. He patrolled Brooklyn Heights for so many years that he earned the title of Mayor of Montague Street and was known and loved by many. A proud veteran of the U.S. Army, Robert always spoke of his time of service in Landshut, Germany with great nostalgia. He was deeply steeped in the history of WWII with an expertise of the Eastern Front. Robert fulfilled his wish a number of years ago to visit the beaches of Normandy, bringing back sand from each of the major sites. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a great enjoyment of sports, particularly the NY Mets, and the football Giants. Robert loved to play softball and was an asset to the teams he played on. He was fond of vacations at the Jersey Shore where he spent many happy times with his family. Robert had a keen memory and never forgot a face, recognizing people from his younger days many years later. He was a man of few words when it came to expressing his personal feelings, but rest assured they ran deep and strong. He will always be remembered for his love of his wife, Agnes E. O’Neill (nee Szechy), and children, Kelly A. O’Neill, Robert B. O’Neill, Sean P. O’Neill and his partner, Heather Williamson, who survive him. Robert is also survived by his brother, Gerard O’Neill and his wife, Christine (nee Hulse), sisters, Pamela O’Neill, Katherine Ritondo and her husband, Albert, and Laurie and her partner, Alice Anisowicz. He is also survived by his sister in law, Elizabeth Lischner (nee Szechy) and her husband, David and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. In addition to his parents, Robert was predeceased by his sister, Jeanne McCloud and brother, Kevin O’Neill. A gathering for family and friends will be held from 12 Noon until 1:30 pm on Thursday afternoon, August 31, 2017, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 214 Clinton Street, Delaware City, DE, where a Celebration of Life will begin at 1:30 pm. Interment will follow in Old Drawyers Cemetery, Odessa, DE. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to the Wildlife Conservation Society, Attn: Donations, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10460 or to the Environmental Defense Fund, 1875 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009.