Obituary of George (Buddy) O'Neil

LITTLE FALLS – George F. (Buddy) O’Neil, 88 of 239 Timmerman Road, Little Falls, NY retired Investigator / Sergeant for the City of Little Falls Police Dept. passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at the Alpine Nursing & Rehab. Center, Little Falls where he had been a resident for the past month. He was born on March 19, 1926 in Little Falls the son of the late George P. and Eleanor (Thomas) O’Neil. A veteran of World War II, Mr. O’Neil after attending Little Falls High School enlisted in the US Merchant Marines where he served until 1945. Upon discharge from the Merchant Marines he enlisted in the US Army and was Honorably Discharged on October 12, 1946. After being discharged from the service he attended the Philadelphia Institute for Criminology and then furthered his education in criminology to study fingerprinting and handwriting analysis in Kansas City, MO. On November 27, 1952 he was united in marriage to his wife of 62 years the former Gladys Darling at St. Mary’s church, Little Falls. He was a member of the Holy Family Parish Church, Little Falls as well as a member of the American Legion Post # 31, Little Falls and the Little Falls Elk’s Lodge # 42 B.P.O.E. Mr. O’Neil began his 35 year career in law enforcement as a Patrolman for the City of Little Falls Police Department. He was later promoted to the city’s first full time Investigator / Sergeant serving in that capacity for 18 years until his retirement in 1989. When not serving the citizens of Little Falls, he enjoyed being home with his family spending time with them hunting, fishing and camping. He is survived by his wife Gladys, his son Dr. Shawn and his daughter in law Dr. Lynne O’Neil, Bolton, MA, his daughters, Michele and son in law Vincent Pescatore, St. Johnsville, NY and Erin and son in law John Ressue, Little Falls, NY, his sister, Jane MacDonald, Geneva, NY and his niece Dawn Gillotti and her husband Nicholas, Geneva, NY, his six grandchildren, James Pescatore, Kathleen Pescatore, Shawn M. O’Neil, Allison O’Neil, Scott O’Neil and Katharine Orsaio. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls, NY. There are no calling hours. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. O’Neil be considered to the Salvation Army, 429 Prospect St., Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.