Eric J. O’Neil, 36, a resident of Chesapeake, Virginia, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, May 12, 2017 at Sentara Heart Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia.

He was born April 9, 1981, in Franklin, the beloved son of Floyd J. and Suzanne M. Romanchak O’Neil.

Eric was a 2000 graduate of Rocky Grove High School. He graduated from Clarion University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. 

For five years, Eric worked at the Franklin K-Mart while attending college. In August 2005, he relocated to Virginia to begin his first elementary teaching job in Hampton City Schools.

His dream was to start an elementary basketball program at the school. His career was cut short when he was diagnosed with advanced heart failure.

Eric was an active volunteer in his daughter’s kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. He also volunteered at Sentara Heart Hospital in guest services. He enjoyed following the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, and the Rocky Grove Orioles. 

He was a friend to all and always bonded with the people he came in contact with. He was kind, generous, thoughtful, liked to laugh, and was determined to never give up. Even with heart failure, he was able to care for his daughter and be a special Dad to her.

He was a former member of St. Patrick Church in Franklin and presently was an active member at Church of St. Therese in Chesapeake. He was also a member of the 3rd degree Knights of Columbus and was a member of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital Transplant Support Group.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by a daughter, Ivy Josephine O’Neil of Chesapeake, Virginia, his fiancee, Elizabeth Bower of Chesapeake; two brothers Scott O’Neil (Ashley) of Bellwood, PA and Brett O’Neil (Rachel) of West Bend, Wisconsin, his maternal grandmother, Barbara Romanchak; his aunts Sally Scheffer of Oil City; his aunt and godmother Nancy Weiser (Jim) of Franklin; his aunt Doris O’Neil of Oil City; his uncles, Robert Kilgore (Kathy) of Sebring, Florida; Thomas O’Neil (Deb) of Jamestown, PA; godfather and great uncle Paul and great aunt Patricia Karg of Wilmington, NC.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph P. Romanchak and Frank and Ruth O’Neil and by a beloved cousin, Joshua Scheffer. 

Friends may call Friday 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the Timothy E. Hartle Funeral Home, 1328 Elk Street in Franklin. A vigil will be held at 3:30 pm at the funeral home with Deacon Richard O’Polka of St. Patrick Church presiding. 

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11 am at St. Patrick Church, 949 Liberty Street Franklin with Rev. Robert A. Manning officiating. 

Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, if desired, may be donated in Eric’s name to St. Patrick’s Church; Sentara Foundation-Hampton Roads Cardiac Sentara Heart Fund, 6015 Poplar Hall Drive #308 Norfolk, VA 23502; or to the charity of one’s choice.

Please visit: www.hartlefuneralhome.com for further information and to leave a note of condolence.