Joseph O’Neill brought a ray of sunshine everywhere he went, his colourful life dominated by the sound of music.
Born in Ballymena in 1942, the second son of Charles (Cha) and Mary O’Neill (née Tully), the family home was at Ballymoney Road and included sisters Anne, Pat, Moya and Brenda and brother Carl.
A happy family man, Joe met the love of his life, Cushendall songbird Moira McKay, at a dance in Ballymoney Town Hall and so began a partnership that was nothing short of perfection – lasting 63 blissful years.
They lived on Broughshane Road and purchased their ever-welcoming villa on Shore Road, Cushendall in 1976 as a summer house.
Their family of six children – Charles, Shane, Louise, Alastair Joseph and Niall – moved permanently to Cushendall in 1985.
Joe was born to sing and entertain and quickly became a key component of the award-winning Glens Choir, with Moira one of the lead singers.
Choir members gave their colleague a special send-off during funeral Mass in St Mary’s Church, Cushendall – and a nostalgic rendering of the Green Glens of Antrim at the graveside.
Live-wire Joe was a consummate artist once the footlights switched on during Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, as choir director Christine McSparran recalled.
“Joe was a bass in the choir for over 40 years. He brought his exceptional talent and experience as actor and singer from his school days at Garron Tower - in the St MacNissi’s College productions under the direction of Fr Paddy McKavanagh - to entertain audiences in the Glens with his captivating performances as Duke of Plaza Toro, KoKo, the Pirate King and many others in the Glens Choir productions.
“Whether it was a serious rehearsal for an important stage show, pantomime or concert, Joe’s passion for singing along with sharing of his gift of humour and carefree sense of fun brought joy and laughter to everyone in the choir at each and every session.”
After boarding at Garron Tower for five years, Joe went into the family butcher’s business at Linenhall Street, Ballymena.
However, his free time was spent in the music trade as a high-energy drummer and singer with local band The Columbians.
In Cushendall he lent his Gene Krupa-style drumming to the O’Rawe brothers band - Jamie and Henry - mostly at Ballintoy Hotel.
Affectionately known as ‘Henry and the Headaches’ the small band also played regularly in Cushendall Golf Club.
Joe, who was blessed with a wickedly mischievous sense of humour, also joined the Slemish Players, Ballymena, in 1969 - a special time that also included an early association and lifelong friendship with budding young actor Liam Neeson.
Joe, who was blessed with a wickedly mischievous sense of humour, also joined the Slemish Players, Ballymena, in 1969 - a special time that also included an early association and lifelong friendship with budding young actor Liam Neeson
Joe’s first success in sporting activity was to help Garron Tower win an Ulster Colleges senior hurling title as goalkeeper.
However, he became hooked on the game of golf and he would enjoy many midweek adventures with friends at ‘The Port’.
He also joined the fabled eight-man Cartel golfing gang that took off on an annual week-long golfing extravaganza.
Joe, who was Cushendall Golf Club Captain in 1981 and President from 2018-21, was a dogged competitor in GUI competitions such as the Ulster Cup.
His face would light up after holing a tricky-three footer in a tense inter-club match, then breathe a sigh of relief and declare: “Better day now, folks”.
He helped the 10-man team win the Ulster Purcell Shield Foursomes for the first time in 1988. Joining Moira to win gold medals in the memorable Abbot’s Choice Mixed Foursomes championship at Cushendall was also one of his proudest moments.
Joe O’Neill passed away on February 5 at the age of 83 and is seriously missed by family and friends in the Glens of Antrim and at his birthplace of Ballymena.
His month’s mind Mass will take place in Cushendall tomorrow at 11am.
D O’H
** The Irish News publishes a selection of readers’ obituaries each Saturday. Families or friends are invited to send in accounts of anyone they feel has made a contribution to their community or simply led an interesting or notable life. Call Aeneas Bonner on 028 9040 8360 or email a.bonner@irishnews.com.