James F. O'Neill

James F. O'Neill
July 11, 1929-April 27, 2013
James F. "Jim" O'Neill, age 83, died peacefully on Saturday, April 27, 2013. Jim, the youngest of five children, was born to William and Anna O'Neill in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 11, 1929. Jim served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. A pivotal moment in his life occurred in 1965 when he met Bill W. and Dr. Bob. He served as President of the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjustors and President of the Farmington Rotary Club. For the past twenty years, Jim has served as San Juan County's Risk Manager where he will be remembered for his intelligence, integrity, humor and compassion. Jim's dedication to excellence can be summed up in his own words-"I am a firm believer in fundamentals and the importance of doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well. In my judgment, it is this trait which distinguishes mediocrity from excellence." Jim was a avid reader and wordsmith, a determined golfer and a lover of animals, rescuing every stray he could catch. But Jim's two primary passions in life were his family and the joy he found in serving others. He will be celebrated for his wit and wisdom by the many he counseled and served. Jim leaves behind a family woven together by love and laughter. He is survived by his beloved wife, Macy; his children, Kevin O'Neill and his wife, Colleen, Michelle Pecotte, Pamela Patterson Warnecke and her husband, Werner, Megan Kennedy and her husband, Kurt, Jaime O'Neill Voita and her husband, Jimmy and daughter-of-the heart, Kristi Galloway and her husband, Steve. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Beth James and her husband, Jeff, Sean and Ryan Pecotte, Kyle, Leah and Declan Kennedy, Betty, Charlie and Maggie Voita and great-granddaughter, Katie James. He was greeted on his journey by his parents; his siblings; his son, Sean O'Neill and countless others whose lives were touched by him. A Rosary vigil will be 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 2 and a funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Friday, May 3, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 2100 E. 20th St. in Farmington. Following the services, the family asks that you join them for a reception at the San Juan Country Club. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Aztec Animal Shelter or your favorite charity.