Patrick S. O’Neale

Patrick S. O’Neale, 62, of Fairhaven, passed away Friday, April 2, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family following a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was the husband of Dolores E. (Sylvia) O’Neale with whom he shared 40 years of marriage.

            Born in Washington, D.C., son of the late Hugh W. and Germaine M. (Lesieur) O’Neale, he had resided in Fairhaven for the past 34 years.

            He was a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University in 1981.

            Mr. O’Neale was the Senior Vice President at Tata & Howard, Inc.

            Patrick was a very active member of several water works organizations in Massachusetts and was well regarded among his peers. He served on Mass Water Works Associations’ Board of Directors, having been elected in 2015 and advancing to President in 2019; he was currently serving as Past President for the association. Patrick was also involved on the Program Committee for Mass Water Works, serving as co-chair for a number of years. He was chair of the Vendor Relations Committee for Plymouth County Waterworks Association and was a frequent presenter on water-related topics at association meetings. He was a recipient of Plymouth County Waterworks Associations’ David L. Regan Associate Member Award in 2006 for his outstanding service to the water works profession. Professionally, he was instrumental in helping the Town of Falmouth with their Long Pond Water Treatment Plant, which went online in 2017 and is capable of producing 8.4 million gallons per day. For the work done by Patrick and the team at Tata & Howard, Inc. the plant was recognized with a 2018 Silver Engineering Excellence Award for engineering services by The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA). Patrick was also instrumental in the formation of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District which includes water supply sources operated by the towns of Fairhaven, Marion and Mattapoisett, and also serves the Town of Rochester. Rather than constructing several treatment facilities for the eight wells, the towns teamed to construct a single advanced water treatment facility saving the towns approximately $5 million by building the plant jointly.

            Known as Grandad, Patrick loved his family, especially his three grandsons who were the love of his life.

            Surviving in addition to his wife are four children, Shannon Anderson and husband Christopher, Brittney O’Neale, Morgan O’Neale and Sean O’Neale; three grandsons, Gavin, Brody and Wyatt; his siblings, Donna Tipton and husband Dave, Hugh John O’Neale, Mary Roth and husband Mark, Kathy Church and husband Buddy, Daniel O’Neale and wife Sharon, Helen Norris and Rick O’Neale; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, William O’Neale.

            In lieu of flowers, donations in Patrick’s memory can be made to Water For People at www.waterforpeople.org.

            Private services are in the care of Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven.

            For online tributes, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com