O'Neil, Michael "Mike" Francis Obituary

O'Neil, Michael "Mike" Francis was faculty at Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about O'neil, Michael "mike" Francis.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Apr 04, 2014
About	Published: Wednesday, April 9, 2014 in the Elk Grove Citizen: Michael Francis (Mike) O'Neil, longtime resident of Elk Grove and teacher in the Elk Grove Unified School District, died April 4, 2014 at home at the age of 87. Mr. O'Neil was born Aug. 18, 1927 in Los Angeles to Michael Francis and Dorothy Long O'Neil. He grew up there, attending Holy Spirit Catholic School and the diocesan junior seminary before graduating from St. Monica's High School. Mike joined the U.S. Navy just as World War II was ending and served in the Western Pacific off the coasts of China and Vietnam. Upon his return he enrolled at Loyola University of Los Angeles but was recalled into the Navy for service off Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and returned to Loyola to complete his degree in science. However, before school started in the fall he went to work in Sequoia National Park where he met Catherine McCammon and the two were married June 18, 1955 at Holy Spirit Church in Los Angeles. Mike received his teaching credential from Los Angeles State College and in the fall of 1956 the O'Neils moved to Elk Grove where he taught science at the old Elk Grove High School. When the new high school was built, Mike stayed in the old building, now Kerr Middle School where he set up the science department. He then switched to math and became fascinated with computers and computer programming, putting together his first laptop from a kit. Before retiring, he taught math and computer science at the new Valley High School. Subsequent to retirement, he drove for the American Cancer Society and assisted in the classroom and tutored math at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School. Hi family said, “Always the student, he enjoyed reading and travel.” Mr. O'Neil was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Kathleen O'Neil and his brother, William J. O'Neil. He is survived by his wife Cathy of Elk Grove; son Michael Francis O'Neil and wife Gloria; grandchildren Dominque Nicole O'Neil and Palmo Michael O'Neil of Elk Grove; and brother John O'Neil and wife JoAnn of Erskine, West Australia. Services will be at St. Joseph Church, 9961 Elk Grove-Florin Rd., Elk Grove, CA 95624. Rosary and Vigil will be at 5p.m. on Friday, April 11. Funeral Mass will be at 10a.m. on Saturday, April 12, followed by interment at the Elk Grove Cemetery on Elk Grove Blvd. at Highway 99. Remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. - Information from the Elk Grove Citizen Born August 18, 1927 in Los Angeles, CA, died April 4, 2014 in Elk Grove, CA. Son of Michael Francis and Dorothy Long O'Neil (deceased). Brother of William J. O'Neil (deceased) and John O'Neil (JoAnn) of Erskine, West Australia. Husband of Catherine McCammon O'Neil. Father of Mary Kathleen O'Neil (deceased) and Michael Francis (Gloria) O'Neil. Grandfather of Dominique Nicole O'Neil and Palmo Michael O'Neil of Elk Grove. Services will be at St. St. Joseph Church, 9961 Elk Grove-Florin Rd, Elk Grove, CA 95624. The Vigil will be at 5 pm, Friday, April 11. Funeral Mass will be 10 am Saturday, April 12. Remembrances may be made to a charity of one's choice . - Information from the Sacramento Bee