Rev. Richard V. O’Neill, 93, of Utica, died on October 19, 2021. Fr. O’Neill was born, August 24, 1928, in Syracuse, NY, the son of Patrick J. and Hilda E. O’Neill and was raised on the West End. Fr. O’Neill attended St. Brigid Grammar School, St. Patrick High School and studied for the priesthood at St. Andrew’s Minor Seminary and St. Bernard’s Major Seminary, Rochester, NY. Fr. O’Neill was ordained a priest on February 2, 1954 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Syracuse, NY. Fr. O’Neill served the people of several parishes, doing parish work and prison ministry, as well as offering spiritual direction to members of the Legion of Mary. He retired in 2006, with the closing of St. Mary’s Church, South St., Utica. Fr. O’Neill accepted Fr. Dellos’ kind invitation to reside at St. George Rectory and assist at St. George and St. Joseph & St. Patrick Churches. With the closing of St. George, Fr. O’Neill, and his dog Ben, moved into his own home and he continued to assist Fr. Dellos at St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church, until the closing of churches in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fr. O’Neill is survived by his sister-in-law, Arlene O’Neill; nieces, Barbara Gilman, Elizabeth Smalt, Eileen Kralik, Noreen Schoonmaker and Karen Covell. Fr. O’Neill was predeceased by his sisters, Sr. Mary Carmel, CSJ and Sr. Mary Lucretia, CSJ; his brother, Michael (Stewie) O’Neill and nephews, Michael (Stephanie Stack) and Patrick (Missy O’Neill). Calling hours for family and friends is Friday, October 29, 2021, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Historic Old St. John’s Church, John St., Utica, followed by a vigil prayer service at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Historic Old St. John’s Church, with Most Rev. Bishop Douglas J. Lucia Officiating. Fr. O’Neill’s Rite of Committal and burial will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Syracuse. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Fr. O’Neill’s name may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Rd., Latham, NY 12110 or to Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen, 702 Columbia St., Utica, NY 13502. Envelope’s will be available at the church. Fr. O’Neill was grateful to Fr. Richard Dellos, for his many acts of kindness to him. He admired Fr. Dellos for his pastoral care of the poor and rejected. Fr. O’Neill was also grateful to the parishioners of St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church for being so welcoming and kind to him. He always looked forward to celebrating Mass with them. Fr. O’Neill was grateful to Dr. Roger Breslow, for his superb medical care and especially his many acts of kindness and friendship. He could never thank Mary Breslow enough for everything she did for him. Mary made it possible for Fr. O’Neill to continue his priestly ministry and to enjoy his retirement years in his home with his dog, Lucky. Lucky is grateful to his buddy, Carey Fortnam, for those wonderful Monday morning walks and to Ken Phelps for his Neighborhood walks. “I Thank God for calling me to the priesthood and I am grateful to Mary, the Mother of God, for her maternal love and care. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” “Remember to do an act of kindness today and every day of your life.” Father O’Neill.