SEBAGO — John S. O’Neil, 92, of Sebago, died on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, at a Portland hospital.

He was born in Portland, the son of Raymond J. and C. Gertrude Madigan. John attended local schools and was a 1936 graduate of Deering High School. John served with the Army in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. He was wounded in Germany and earned the Purple Heart Award.

On Sept. 18, 1948, he married the former Mary Frances Gill at St. Joseph’s Church in Portland.

He had but one job — for 55 years he was employed by John J. Nissans Baking Company in Portland. He started as a route driver and retired as a sales manager in 1985. In business and in social situations, he always treated everyone with respect and that they were very important to him.

John loved Sebago Lake and visited regularly since 1956, first renting camps on Long Beach and then Ward’s Cove. In 1967, he and his wife purchased a camp on the lake, which ultimately became their home following his retirement in 1985. He enjoyed boating and water skiing as a younger man. He also liked to fish. The salmon in Sebago Lake had little to fear from his efforts.

John was a former communicant of St. Joseph’s Church and St. Patrick’s Church of Portland. He was a Communicant of St. Joseph Church of Bridgton, and he attended Our Lady of Sebago Chapel where he served as an Eucharistic minister. He was formerly an active member of the Msgr. Houlihan Council of the Knights of Columbus. John was a very active member of the Sebago Lions Club.
He was predeceased by his parents; a brother, Joseph O’Neil; and a sister, Mary Palenchar.

He was an amazing father and mentor to his children and a loving husband. Those he came in contact with long have fond memories of John or Jake as he was known as a younger man.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Mary Frances of Sebago; three daughters, Mary “Fran” Perry of Freedom, N.H., Priscilla O’Neil of Scarborough and Patrice O’Neil of Scarborough; three sons, William O’Neil of Saco, John J. O’Neil of White River Junction, Vt. and Tim O’Neil of Portland; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours were held on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayer was offered by the Sebago Lion’s Club during the wake. Prayers were recited on Monday at the South Portland Chapel, followed by a 12:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough. Interment followed in Calvary Cemetery with Military Rites. Online condolences may be sent to: www.ctcrawford.com

Those desiring may make donations to: Sebago Lion’s Club, Care of Marsha Christianson, 59 N.W. River Road, Sebago, ME 04029.