Richard D. O'Neill, 96, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Tidewell Hospice House. He was born in Newark, New Jersey on May 27, 1929.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, James A. and Dorothy Cole O'Neill; his sisters, Dorothy Molitoris and Marie D. Simonsen; and brothers, James H. O'Neill and Robert C. O'Neill. Surviving is his wife of 38 years, Sharron Hughes O'Neill. Richard is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Richard was a Korean War Army Veteran and was stationed in Augsburg, Germany from 1953 until March 1955. After serving in the Korean War, he attended Panzer College and graduated with a BS Degree in Physical Education and Health in 1953 and Columbia University where he received his Master of Arts Degree in Education in June 1957. Richard moved to Florida in September 1958 and was an educator from September 22, 1958 to December 20,1986. He retired from Highland Elementary School. Richard also directed summer programs at Lake Worth Municipal Pool and Summer School as Principal at Highland Elementary and Greenacres Elementary Schools. During those years as an educator, Richard was nominated twice as Teacher of the Year. He married Mary Edith Manford on April 28, 1962 in West Palm Beach, Florida. She passed as a result of cancer in 1979. After 9 years, Richard then married Sharron Hughes on February 14, 1988. They celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary on February 14, 2026, just before his death. Richard and Sharron relocated from Loxahatchee, Florida, to Punta Gorda, Florida in September 2000. He spent the next two years building their home, workshop and nursery. After retirement, Richard's leisure time was spent enjoying woodworking, gardening, and attending craft fairs and classical music events. He truly loved his dinner date nights every Saturday with Sharron and lovingly presented her a bouquet of beautiful flowers each month.

Richard's funeral and memorial will both be held on his 97th birthday, Wednesday, May 27, 2026. A military funeral will take place BEFORE the memorial at exactly 11:30 a.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery-Plot 931—9810 SR-72, Sarasota, FL 34241. A catered memorial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Life Celebration Center of Punta Gorda, 1515 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, FL 33950.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to either St. Vincent De Paul Society Sacred Heart, 25200 Airport Rd., Punta Gorda, FL 33950 or Tidewell Hospice House, 1144 Veronica Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33952.