John Gerard O'Neill, 68, of Topsfield, Massachusetts, USA and Rush, Ireland, passed away on October 20, 2024 after a long battle with cancer.
John was born in Dublin, Ireland to John F. and Joan (O'Riordan) O'Neill on September 26, 1956. His education culminated in Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Astronomy & Space Science.
Although John had a 25+ year career working with computerized traffic systems for the Dublin City Council, his real passion was astronomy. John did a lot of public outreach, travelled to 12 total solar eclipses around the world, and submitted astronomical data to various astronomy organizations on both sides of the Atlantic. He also created and produced the annual astronomical almanac "Sky High" for the Irish Astronomical Society, curated multiple websites, and enjoyed writing a variety of useful tools to help with his observation program planning.
John had a uniquely creative capacity for making connections between language and the world around him. He was a remarkable source of interesting history and geography which made traveling with him a very educational experience as well as great deal of fun.
John is survived by his loving wife, Sara Beck of Topsfield, his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Victor Smith of Dundrum, County Dublin, Ireland, Sara's surviving siblings, Mary, Martha, William, and John Beck, Sara's sister-in-law, Patricia Zambri, and all of their spouses, eleven nieces and nephews and seven great nieces and nephews.
John was interred at Pine Grove Cemetery in Topsfield, Massachusetts on October 26, 2024, following a memorial Mass at St. Rose of Lima church, also in Topsfield. A memorial will be held for him in Ireland at a future date.