City Remembers Freedom of the City Recipient

Many will remember Paul O’Neill as an actor, activist or an author, but for Mayor Dennis O’Keefe he will always remember Paul O’Neill as a perfect example of a “townie”.

“Paul O’Neill was a tremendous townie,” says Mayor O’Keefe. “He dearly loved St. John’s, it was one of the main loves of his live and his pride in his community came through in everything he did. He was a real gentleman and in one way or another he was always promoting the City, talking about the City and even walking about the City he loved so much. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.”

Paul O’Neil passed away on Monday, Aug. 11 at the age of 84. The City of St. John’s honoured him for his contributions to the City by presenting him with the Freedom of the City in 2004. He was also honoured with the Order of Canada and the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mr. O’Neill will probably be best known for his two-volume book ‘The Oldest City’ which was published for the first time in 1975 and detailed the history of the City.

“I consider Paul O’Neill a long-standing friend and a true pioneer of the heritage movement in the City,” says Deputy Mayor Shannie Duff. “We both shared an interest in the City’s history and heritage and his work ‘The Oldest City’ is an extremely valuable resource on the history of our City that will be used for generations to come. His passing represents a tremendous loss to St. John’s.”

The City of St. John’s would like to pass along its sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

 
For further information:
Jennifer Mills
Communications Officer
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 570-2037
Cell: (709) 690-7586
E-mail: jmills@stjohns.ca

Dennis O’Keefe
Mayor
City of St. John’s
Phone: (709) 576-8477
Cell: (709) 685-5657
E-mail: dokeefe@stjohns.ca

Shannie Duff
Deputy Mayor
City of St. John’s
Phone: (709) 576-8583
Cell: (709) 691-1869
E-mail: sduff@stjohns.ca