Thomas A. O'Neill

Dr. Thomas A. O'Neill, known as Tom or Uncle Tommy, passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2022 with his wife, Christine, by his side. Tom had a long battle with cancer. He battled cancer like he lived his life, fiercely and privately.

Born March 12, 1959 in New York City, Tom is predeceased by his parents Thomas G. and Ann T. O'Neill, as well as his sister, Nancy O'Neill. At age 5, Tom and his family moved to Monroe, NY where he attended Washingtonville Schools until his graduation. During his time at Washingtonville, Tom played football, ran track and played clarinet in the school band. He had an amazing group of friends in high school. They spent a lot of time together and got into a lot of trouble; their friendship continues today.

After graduating from Washingtonville, Tom went on to UNH where he received a BS in Zoology. He completed a Doctorate in Dentistry at NYU and practiced dentistry in Manhattan until 1994. Tom moved to Albany with Christine, in 1994 and began working at Greenville Family Dental Center as a partner and owner. Tom enjoyed working at GFDC so much, he had an amazing staff-some who have been with the office for 20+ years! He loved that his patients have been coming to his office and seeing him for almost 30 years. Tom was very proud that his office was an integral part of the Greenville community that he served.

Tom was an avid NY Giants fan and spent many Sundays watching (and cursing) the Giants. He also enjoyed watching the Mets (do you notice a trend of losing?). He converted his wife, a lifelong Jets fan, to a Giants fan-she gets a little more joy watching the Giants. Tom began watching Premier League soccer, it's a love-hate relationship. He did not understand why there were only three refs and he hated when players would take dives. Tom also enjoyed fishing, biking, gardening and running which is evident by the 11 pairs of running shoes under his bed-his wife would curse him every time she had to vacuum under the bed! Every March-even this last March, Tom laid out plans for his vegetable garden, and started his seedlings. He especially loved tomatoes, planting 27 tomato plants one year (there were only two people eating those tomatoes!).
The ocean was always a place of peace for Tom. While at UNH he discovered York, ME and Long Sands Beach. He has spent every summer since then at Long Sands Beach sitting by the water and walking the beach daily looking for treasures.
Tom really enjoyed his Irish heritage, especially the part that involved drinking beer. Who doesn't like a nice Guinness! He proposed to his Christine at their St. Patrick's Day party! Spending time at home with his wife and their dogs was relaxing for Tom. Doing yard work, lighting up the grill and sitting in his back yard was a great weekend, and of course there had to be music and cold beer.
Tom met Christine, in 1992 in Washingtonville. He introduced her to Long Sands Beach and they were married there in 2001. They were soulmates and inseparable from the start, and it seems impossible to imagine a Christine without Tom. But the gift of his presence will be felt by her every time she walks the beach and finds treasures, walks the dogs, watches the Giants struggle or trips over his shoes and, as she watches the garden grow.

In addition to his wife of 20 years, Christine, Tom is survived by his brothers Vincent (Anny) of Saratoga Springs and Robert of Ballston Spa. Family meant everything to Tom and he was an awesome Uncle to his nieces and nephews- Jeanne (Dan) Sim, Mitch (Tori) O'Neill, Will O'Neill, Michael (Felicia) Anderson, Emily (Kyle) Williams, Julia, Ian and Perri Anderson. Tom will be missed by a precious great niece, Mackenzie and a great nephew, Cody. His faithful companions Toby and Mikey, the two crazy yellow labs that reside in his home will miss his teasing and long walks.

A service will be held at New Comer, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie, NY on April 29th from 4-7:00 PM. A celebration of his life will be held on April 30th at his home in Albany. Please contact a family member or the funeral home for further details.

Donations in his name may be made to The Community Hospice 445 New Karner Road, Albany NY 12205