Richard T. O'Neill

Richard T. “Dick” O’Neill, of Ft. Myers, Florida died at home on Monday, August 24, 2026. He was 74.

Dick was born in Waltham on December 22, 1951, a son of the late Thomas and Mary (Brown) O’Neill and had been a lifelong resident before moving to Florida ten years ago.

Until his retirement, Dick served as a Waltham firefighter for twenty-eight years, spending most of his career at Engine 4 on Prospect Street.

A 1970 graduate of Waltham High School, Dick served as a Corporal with the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He joined the fire department following his discharge.

He belonged to the Waltham Firefighters Local 866 and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 953, in Waltham.

In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by his brother, PFC Thomas E. O’Neill, Jr.and his sister, Pauline O’Neill.

He leaves his mother, Anne Jerri Burri-ONeill; brother, Stephen Burri and wife Kathy; his sisters, Mary ‘Sis’ Collura and husband John; Melinda Burri and husband Ken Wright; Martha Festa and husband Michael; Lisa Hemmert and husband Mark; Aunt Janice Brown; many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families; and many Waltham friends including Bob and Nancy Burke.

Dick also had many friends in Florida at Jamaica Bay Village, where he lived in retirement and served as the consummate volunteer handyman, helping his elder neighbors which he savored and they greatly appreciated. Unlike many retirees in Florida, he had a Taylor Rental size shed full of carpentry and plumbing tools and lawn care equipment to address most household maintenance activities and of course as a true New Englander he was an avid Patriots fan and had never missed a Super Bowl party. He also took full advantage of following the Red Sox nearby in preseason spring training and was also involved in several local golf leagues.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dick’s life by gathering to visit from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23rd in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20) Waltham followed by his funeral service at 7 p.m. A private burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, End Cancer As We Know It | American Cancer Society