Father Brian E. O’Neill, a retired priest of the Diocese of Camden who was known for his ministry with the Deaf, died March 31. He was 82.
Born in Philadelphia on July 9, 1940, he underwent seminary studies at Resurrection College in Ontario, Canada, and Immaculate Conception, Darlington, before being ordained a priest for the Diocese of Camden on May 18, 1968.
In parish ministry, Father O’Neill served as pastor of Saint Gregory Parish, Magnolia, from 2002-2008; he served as parochial vicar in Saint Maria Goretti, Runnemede (1968-1971); Sacred Heart, Camden (1971-1976); Saint Andrew the Apostle, Gibbsboro (1976-1977), and Saint Mary, Gloucester City (1977-1980).
Before the priesthood, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a priest, he served as a military chaplain at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, from 2008-2009, and during retirement, as a part-time Chaplain at New Jersey’s Fort Dix/McGuire/Lakehurst. He was also a member of the Marine Corps League and Fire Chaplain in Gloucester City.
His time working with the Deaf in the Diocese of Camden will be one of Father O’Neill’s long-lasting legacies, friends said.
Father James Durkin, a retired priest of the Diocese, said Father O’Neill first had the idea to establish a Ministry With the Deaf in the mid-1970s after encountering a Deaf child at Sacred Heart Parish, Camden, with whom he was unable to communicate.
Shortly afterward, Father O’Neill began learning American Sign Language, reading books and taking classes, before starting the ministry and becoming its director in 1980.
“He wanted to make sure the Deaf community were included at liturgies and in church communities,” Father Durkin said.
For many years after, including in retirement, Father O’Neill continued to serve the Deaf community in South Jersey and beyond.
Since his retirement in 2010, Father O’Neill had resided at Sacred Heart Residence in Cherry Hill.
A viewing will be held April 5, from 9 to 11 a.m., at Saint Mary’s Church, 2001 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill. Immediately following the viewing, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop Dennis Sullivan. Father Durkin will be the homilist.
Interment will follow at New Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.
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