Dennis James "Poppy" O'Neill

HOLDEN - Dennis James O'Neill (Poppy) passed away at home on Monday, March 18, 2024, after a many-years long fight with various cancers. He was 84 years old at the time of his passing.

Born February 1, 1940 in Bronx, NY, Dennis was raised in the heart of the borough with two older brothers, John and George, by a strong and independent widowed mother, Matilda “Billy” O’Neill, (née Julia Vlasak). He recalled his childhood for all who would listen with vibrant stories of joy, adventure, and occasional hardship. He lived the last 55 years in Holden.

Dennis was an entrepreneur and founder of PDN/Pace in Worcester, MA, which he ran successfully until he retired. With time on his hands, he spent his days with grandchildren, playing racquetball, although he preferred squash, and conversing with his “coffee clutch" at the Worcester Athletic Club. Otherwise, he could be found walking his beloved Springer Spaniels through woods and other people's property. Dennis gave cancer the middle finger for many years, stubbornly scoffing the doctors' grim forecasts and defying all mortality expectations. At the end he had neither sufficient piss nor vinegar left to hold off the inevitable, and he finally sailed away on his own schedule, with the wind at his back.

Preceded in death by his wife, Linda L. O’Neill (née Grindstaff) and his brother John, Dennis is survived by his children Cindy O'Neill Vitale and her husband, Robert, of Fairfield, CT; Stephen Shawn O'Neill and his wife, Kristi, of Eatonton, GA; Elizabeth Frost and her husband, Paul, of Foxboro, MA; and Michael J. O'Neill and his wife, Rebeka, of North Liberty, IA; brother George O’Neill of New Hampshire, cousins, nieces and nephews, and seven awesome grandchildren; Ryan, Luke, Meagan, Heather, Sean, PJ, Olivia, and Miriam.

Dennis is remembered for the immeasurable warmth he showed friends and guests, the inexplicable love of military aviation he developed in his last years, the inexhaustible joy and pride he found in all his grandchildren, a spectacularly dreadful taste in music, an obsession with politics and honey, an infatuation with minivans, and the endless driving he loved to embark on; there was no destination too far to drive to.

In remembering Dennis, we share the fullness of his life and reflect on the profound impact he had on those around him. He was an avid learner and loved to share his knowledge.

Family and friends are invited to visit with Dennis's family from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. Flowers may be sent for visitation, or in lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute online at https://www.dana-farber.org/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give/make-a-memorial-or-tribute-gift , the Navy Seal Foundation online at https://www.navysealfoundation.org/donate/ , the Democratic National Committee online at https://democrats.org/ , or the Child Help Hotline online at https://www.childhelphotline.org/what-is-abuse/emotional-abuse/ .

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit his tribute wall.