PORTLAND — E Wesley O’Neill Jr., 95, of Falmouth, died July 31 at The Cedars Rehabilitation Center in Portland.

He was born in Philadelphia, son of E. Wesley O’Neill and Lillian Wall O’Neill.

He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Princeton University, and taught French language and literature for 35 years at both secondary and university levels.

From 1943-45, he served as a master sergeant in the G2 Division in Europe, receiving the Bronze Star and the Croix de Guerre with Palms.

His teaching posts included the William Penn Charter School, the Roxbury Latin School, Colorado State University and the University of Maine in Orono, where he was named Professor Emeritus upon retirement.

He authored several published articles on French literature and language instruction, as well as one about his hobby of coin collecting.

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A devoted churchgoer, he served in the leadership of three Lutheran and four Episcopal churches across the country.

He had two loving and faithful wives over his lifetime. His first wife, Amanda, was a devoted mother and an enthusiastic traveling companion. They visited 35 countries together. They were married for 62 years until her death in 2002.

In 2003, he married Pia Johanna, with whom he shared many interests, including classical music and art.

He is survived by a daughter, Amanda Nyland of Guilford, Conn., and a son, Rev. E. Wesley O’Neill III and daughter-in-law, Kathryn Knight O’Neill, of Oklahoma City; four grandchildren, Kerry O’Neill Singleton and her husband Kirk of Coppell Texas, and Amanda Rebecca Bickford of Westbrook, Conn., Nathaniel B. O’Neill and his wife Andrea of Santee, Calif., and Neal Nyland of Madison, Conn.; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service was held earlier this week.

Arrangements are by Lindquist Funeral Home, 1 Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth.

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Memorial donations may be made to the Root Cellar Ministries, 94 Washington Ave., Portland, ME 04101.

 

 

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