Frank O'Neill

Friday, Jun. 10, 2016

Frank O’Neill died June 1, 2016 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a retired research scientist at the V.A. hospital and associate professor at the University of Utah. He had an unwavering commitment to cancer research and focused on the viruses SV-40, BK and papilloma.

He was born in New York City on April 26, 1940, to John and Adelaide Menna O’Neill. His parents were first-generation Americans born to immigrants from Ireland and Italy. 

Frank went into the lab every weekday and on weekends and holidays. He had a prodigious legacy of scientific papers and was published internationally. He worked continuously to maintain research monies and was funded throughout his 42-year career.

He married Vera Manino in New York in 1963. From that union came his beloved daughter, Lisa Adelaide. 

He married Janet Taylor O’Neill on Nov. 20, 1977; they were married for 40 years. Their dear daughter, Margaret Elke, was born in Freiburg, Germany. 

Frank earned his bachelor’s degree from Long Island University, his M.A. degree from the City University of New York and his Ph.D. from the University of Utah. After being awarded an Eleanor Roosevelt fellowship by the American Cancer Society, Frank and Jan traveled to Germany in 1977 for a sabbatical. As an Alexander von Humboldt International Fellow, he studied and worked at the Universitat Freiburg with Dr. Harald Zur Hausen. 

He was an avid pool player and won many trophies with the Salt Lake Invitational Pool League and the South Valley Pool League, and was the president of the Hibernian Society from 2003-2004.

As a young man, he played on the Long Island University baseball team as the pitcher. Frank’s belief in searching for truth in science, in politics and in relationships, guided his journey in life.

He is survived by his wife, his daughters and granddaughters; son-in-law Jose Escabi, brother Bob O’Neill (Nancy), sister Kelly O’Neill, nephew Michael (Kim), in-laws Kathy and Rick Whyte, Claudia Sippel, Stephen and Debbie Taylor; nieces and nephews, his many friends, and his cousins in Ireland, Genevieve McHale and Barnie O’Neill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother David O’Neill, in-laws Weldon and Lou Jean Taylor, brother-in-law Gary Taylor, sisters-in-law Sherri Taylor and Sue Taylor, cousin Gonzi O’Neill of Kilkishen, County Clare, Ireland; friends Bruce Evans, Ben Knowlton, Bob Goldberg, and very special friend Susan Gall.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.