IN MEMORIAM
Thomas G. O’Neil, 99, Sidney;
Lawyer, Mayor, Civic Leader
SIDNEY – Calling hours are Monday for attorney Thomas G. O’Neil, former Sidney village mayor, Tri-Town Chamber president and president of the Sidney Hospital Board of Directors, who passed away July 29, 2016, at the state Veterans’ Home in Oxford. He would have been 100 on Oct. 25.
A lifelong Sidney resident, he attended Hartwick College, married Gertrude Keeler, earned his law degree at Albany Law School, and served as a Navy lieutenant during World War II, first in the Pacific and later as a member of the JAG.
Back in Sidney, he practiced law until age 87. He was a member and president of the Delaware County Bar Association and the Bar Association of the Sixth Judicial District.
At age 35, he was he was elected mayor. He was a 20-year member and the president of the Sidney Hospital Board of Directors, and was involved in the addition to the hospital in 1957.
He also was a Chamber of Commerce member, then president, always promoting Sidney. He strongly supported Sidney as a 50-year Rotarian. He was recognized for his leadership, honored as a nominee for the first group of Wall of Fame for Sidney High School Alumni.
In addition to his civic interests, he was an avid golfer and an 80-year member of the Sidney Golf and Country Club, winning multiple golf tournaments.
He is survived by his daughter, Judith O’Neil Scott (Bill) of Pinehurst, N.C.; sons Jeffrey T. O’Neil (Sarah) of Bainbridge, and David F. O’Neil (Mary Pat) of Binghamton; eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Calling hours are 5-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, 21 Main St. Sidney. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 15 Liberty St. Sidney. Burial with military honors will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Sidney.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.
