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Michael O'Neill

Image by Nick Andréka

MICHAEL LEO O'NEILL

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June 27, 1954 - March 16, 2023

Michael Leo Martin O'Neill has passed away at the age of 68.

 

Michael was predeceased by his parents, Leo and Betty O'Neill, his sisters Peggy O'Neill, Patty Newman and Betty Troniak and infant brother, Matthew. Left to mourn are his sisters Mary Dorota, Louise O'Neill, Jean Gendron and Erin O'Neill, his brothers, Terry, Jack, Sean and Mark as well as many nieces and nephews.

 

Mike grew up in Hamilton, Winnipeg and Thunder Bay in the chaotic household of his large family. He was always proud of his Irish-Catholic heritage, though the murmurs of his canonization have turned out to be rumours. 

 

Mike was a thespian from his early days. After performing in high school plays in Thunder Bay, he and some fellow actors started the Moonlight Melodrama theatre in the 70"s. Though Mike left professional theatre many years ago, he remained a poet and loved preforming. He could be heard reciting his poetry at a coffee club here or there or in the middle of family gatherings requiring little or no invitation!

 

Mike worked at many restaurant and construction jobs over the years and became a craftsman in his own right despite no formal training. He was a bon vivant and, as the saying goes, you can sometimes have too much of a good thing. This, apparently, could rub some people the wrong way. But, that was Mike and which way one was rubbed did not often make it to his list of priorities. 

 

Mike had a good heart and spent much of his life taking care of our brother, Terry, for which we will always be grateful. For his nieces and nephews, Mike created Christmas and birthday cards with cartoon characters participating in funny stories about the recipient, which was always a nice treat for them. 

 

Life was often difficult for Mike, particularly in the last several years as his health was getting the better of him. He tried, though, to retain his sense of humour and we would see flashes of his stoic nature from time to time. Mike's heart finally gave out on March 16th. He will not soon be forgotten. 

 

The family would like to extend their appreciation to the many establishments on the "Corydon Avenue Strip" for their kindness and compassion given to our brother over the years. 

 

Cremation has taken place and the family will have a private gathering to honour Mike. Arrangements by Ethical Death Care.

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Mike's family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

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Chelsea

September 25, 2024 at 7:31 PM

Michael and I met on the bus years ago. Connected and shared art and stories. We lost touch and he found me years later. I was so happy to have reconnected and enjoyed visiting him and his brother Terry. I tried calling him several times but his number has been disconnected. A memory popped up ony FB feed of a poem he had written for me for my birthday which lead to me to google and to here...surprisingly exactly a year after his death. I cherish the time we had together and the chats. Regret the times we said we'd meet and we didn't. I love you so much my friend, thinking of you and wishing the best for your brother Terry. I will hold your poems and stories close....à la prochaine. Love your friend, Chelsea aka Friday xo
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Ryan Marques

September 25, 2024 at 7:31 PM

As a member of the 'Corydon Avenue Strip' I am truly saddened to learn that Mike has passed on to the next realm. Never without a quip, joke, or sly remark, Mike was truly a one of a kind unique individual. When I first met Mike, I assumed he was simply the wacky neighbourhood poet-eccentric. The guy who would burst in to our office and start quoting Monty Python skits (perfectly in character with accents), but over the last 10 years I am proud to say that I had the great pleasure of getting to know him on a deeper level, and that we grew to become good friends. I was immediately intrigued by the chain-smoking multilingual Thespian that was always game for a chat or a drink. Mike could be bitingly witty, dark, hilarious, and profound simultaneously, and I think that these qualities come from a place of acute sensitivity that many do not understand or relate to, but which he deeply possessed. Mike was exceedingly kind, empathetic, and generous to me, especially considering that he did not have very much. He was always asking me how my family and girlfriend were doing, and how I was doing - not in a superficial way, but from a place of genuine interest and caring. His kindness and generosity were unequivocally apparent to me through his relationship with his brother Terry, for whom I know he cared very deeply for and was always concerned with, especially in the last few years. When Mike and Terry moved in to their new apartment, I gave them a plant I grew from seed as a housewarming gift. Not taking the two of them to be green thumbs, I did not expect it to live very long, but to my surprise, Terry named it "Mr. Healthy" and Mike took great interest in watering and tending to it. Every couple of months or so, he would call me or send me a proof of life photo to let me know that Mr. Healthy was...actually healthy. Over the last few years, Mike and I would go golfing together a couple of times every summer. I found it amazing that a guy who started golfing in his 60s with clubs from the salvation army had the stamina and drive to beat me, even after having a heart attack and being twice my age. About a week before Mike passed away, I was driving down Corydon and happened to see him standing on the corner. I was in a rush and didn't stop to see how he was doing, but consciously thought to myself that I should check in with him. I wish I knew now that that would be the last time I would see him. The world is by far a less interesting place without Mike in it, but wherever he is now is certainly more interesting. Rest In Pontification Mike - Cheers.

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