John Patrick O’Neil of Jeffersonville, Vt., passed away at home in the loving arms of his wife on Saturday, June 6, 2026, after a long battle with leukemia that he fought with courage and dignity.
John was born on July 2, 1948, to Edward and Dorothy (Deso) O’Neil, in St. Albans, Vt., where he and his older brother, Skip, were raised. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in St. Albans and went on to earn his BA in mathematics from the University of Vermont in 1970. Shortly after graduating from UVM, he met his wife, Eugenia Currie. They married on September 26, 1975, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year.
In 1978 John joined IBM, embarking on a long and successful career there. His dedication and steady presence earned the respect of colleagues and friends alike. In retirement, he discovered a passion for woodworking, becoming skilled and creating pieces that will be treasured reminders of his craftmanship.
A Green Mountain boy, John loved Vermont deeply, and he and Genie saw no reason to leave the state they called home. They settled briefly in Underhill, then moved to Essex, where their children, Stephanie Ferree and Gregory O’Neil, were born, raised and educated. Shortly before retirement, John and Genie built a new home in Jeffersonville, where John could ski every day of the winter at his beloved Smugglers’ Notch. In warmer months, the two became passionate pickleball players, spending their summer days playing with friends on their driveway court and at venues nearby.
John was, above all else, a devoted and loving husband to Genie. She and their children and grandchildren were his entire world. Calm, patient, wise and deeply caring, he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife, Eugenia; daughter, Stephanie Ferree, and spouse Eli; son, Gregory O’Neil; grandchildren, Connor and Emily O’Neil; stepgrandchildren, Ronin and River Ferree; and brother, Skip O’Neil, and his wife, Judy.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 27, 2026, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Highlands Day Lodge at Smugglers’ Notch Resort.