Jack O'Neill

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One of the true advantages in living in Western New York is that we have the opportunity to see the changing seasons. The bright colors of summer give way to truly colorful images as the leaves change go red and brown and drift to the ground. Yet, the bright colors leave us quickly, giving way to a heavy cloud of gray, as winter approaches.

The clouds were hanging low yesterday, and again this morning. My heart was heavy too, as a true Irish-American passed away after spending Thanskgiving Day with the family that he loved. Something changed about the entire landscape, as Jack O'Neill's physical time on the earth ended.

I'm always struck by the daily obits in the morning newspaper. As is my habit, I read through the section, amazed by the fact that the beat writers can encapsulate a full life in a three sentence paragraph. This morning, as I gazed on Jack O'Neill's story, my mind threatened to explode. 19 grandchildren, sixty-three years of marriage, and five great-grandchildren doesn't tell the story. If everyone knew Jack like I was blessed to know him - his story would have been page one.

In a day and age when love for family, passion for country, and pride in living the right way seems to have been forgotten, Jack O'Neill's face should be on the poster for an advertisement of living a full life.

Jack was always ready with a smile, a firm handshake, and a hundred great jokes that made me - an newcomer to the family - feel as though I were the most important person in the room. His eyes filled with tears when he spoke of my son who was sick and healed. His eyes filled with pride when he shared a drink with his own children. Jack never missed a family get-together, and in the spot just off of his right shoulder was his wife, Edna. After sixty plus years of togetherness, they would smile at one another as though they were still in high school.

The seasons change. The bright colors of the summer give way to the gray skies of the coming winter. Yet, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Jack O'Neill will not be a physical presence at our next family gathering, but he will be right there with all of us - deep in our hearts, offering that smile and that firm handshake - letting us all know how we should be living our lives.

Jack O'Neill will be missed - wish you would've had the chance to meet him.

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