Reginald Gordon O'Neill

Reginald “Reggie” Gordon O’Neill passed away on October 19, 2023, in Torrance, California. He was 91 years old. Reggie was born on August 21, 1932, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. His father, Samuel Walter O’Neill, was a member of the Royal Navy and sadly passed away when Reggie was an infant. His mother, Frances Pretoria O’Neill (née Hewitt), was a seamstress and raised her three children with the assistance of her mother, a retired Army nurse. Reggie had an older brother, Billy, and a twin brother, Desmond, who
would prove to be his lifelong companion. Reggie attended religious school as a young boy but was forced to move out to the Irish countryside during World War II in order to find refuge from routine urban bombing campaigns. He later enrolled in a trade school to learn the craft of fine carpentry and honed his skills working on large passenger ships in the Irish shipyards.

In 1959, Reggie married Joan Elizabeth Elliott in Belfast and they moved into a small home that Reggie renovated by himself. Three years later, they followed in the footsteps of Billy and Desmond, packing up and moving to the United States, in search of a better life of opportunity. They put down roots in Inglewood, California, and Reggie immediately found work as a custom cabinet maker in Los Angeles. In 1964, Reggie and Joan welcomed their first son, David John. Three years later, Joan gave birth to twins, Maureen Susan and Michael Andrew. The family of five eventually purchased their first home in Inglewood, just a few doors down from Reggie’s twin brother, and the two families enjoyed spending time together.

In 1978, Reggie moved his family to Torrance, and continued to thrive as a custom cabinet maker, frequently requested by clients who appreciated his artistry and skills for detail. He was also active in the local church the family attended, serving as a deacon at Pacific View Baptist Church, and cheerfully volunteered to assist friends and fellow church members with projects around their homes. During these years, Reggie and Joan were blessed by close relationships with John and Eunice Margosian and Dwight and Diane Johnston.

Reggie was the proud grandfather of five beautiful granddaughters: Courtney Noelle Teague and Callie Justine Teague (born to Maureen and her husband, Daryn); Madison Rose (born to David and his wife, Maria); and Lydia Grace and Emily Elizabeth Ann (born to Michael and his wife, Jennifer). Reggie was preceded in death by both of his brothers and by Joan, his loving wife of 49 years, who passed away in 2008. In the last 15 years of his life, he served in a number of church ministries, helped to build a school for indigenous children in Alaska, volunteered with Meals on Wheels, and used his carpentry skills to create props for the annual Easter play hosted by Rolling Hills Covenant Church. One of Reggie’s lifelong passions was acquiring and restoring antique clocks. Under his expert craftsmanship, the refurbished clocks could always be counted on to keep perfect time. For 91 years, Reggie made the most of each precious hour, until the very minute God welcomed him home.