O’Neil, Robert Newton, born in Windsor, Ontario July 26th, 1921, passed away peacefully in Burnaby British Columbia, on February 8th, 2012 at 90 ½ years young after a brief stay at St. Michael’s Hospice.
Bob is survived by his loving family, dear wife Elizabeth (Beth), two daughters Peggy, and Patricia (Bruce McBeath) and son Robert (Leslie), and grandchildren Kayla and Sarah.   Bob was the middle of 7 brothers and is survived by his youngest brother David.

Bob grew up in Ontario where his first job was delivering milk for Scherwoods dairy with a horse and wagon for $3.50/week. In 1941 he worked at the Ford Motor Company for 75-cents/hour. He joined RCAF in 1942; Manning Pool training was in Toronto. He was posted in Sandspit and Alliford Bay in the Queen Charlotte Islands, working on the Sandspit airport. In 1945 he was posted back to Kitsilano Beach and enlisted in the Commando course. He was later discharged from RCAF in 1949.

He came to New Westminster in 1951 and started the first driving school in the city. In 1952 Bob started and operated O’Neil Car Sales for over 50 years. He soon acquired a nickname and was known as “Square Deal O’Neil.” At the age of 90 he was still selling cars and trucks from his residence. He married Elizabeth on November 24, 1952 and has 3 children – two daughters and a son.

Bob thoroughly enjoyed the outdoors and went hunting in BC’s wilderness as well as trout fishing at Loon and McKinley lakes. He later bought property and built a cabin at McKinley Lake. Warwick Parker, a good friend, also had a cabin at McKinley Lake and introduced Dad to salmon fishing. Bob owned many boats through the years and took his friends on numerous fishing trips. He also spent a few summers camping and fishing in Campbell River. The family went camping many times in BC and travelled to Ontario to visit his many relatives, where he enjoyed family reunions with the O’Neil clan. Through the years Bob and Beth took many road trips, sometimes with other couples, travelling through Canada and the US as well as flying overseas to Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In 1988 he bought a summer home in Point Roberts where he enjoyed gardening, fishing, and repairing whatever was needed, as well as socializing with the neighbours. It became tradition that every July his birthday was celebrated at “Point Bob” with many family and friends in attendance.

Bob was a loving husband, father, and a wonderful friend. He was a charismatic man, a magnificent story teller and possessed a great sense of humour that attracted people of all ages. His sense of humour and love of life will be missed by all that were fortunate enough to know him.

Memorial Service is to be held Saturday February 18th 2012 at 1pm at Columbia Bowell Funeral Chapel, 219 Sixth Street New Westminster.

Donations may be made in memory of Bob to:

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada
2 Lansing Square, Suite 804
Toronto, ON  M2J 4P8
or call 1-877-668-8326 (toll-free, 8:30am to 5pm EST)
or visit www.llscanada.org/waystohelp

Or to
St. Michael’s Centre Foundation
7451 Sussex Avenue
Burnaby BC  V5J 5C2
or call 604-244-1646
or visit www.stmcfoundation.ca