09 Dec 1954 - 13 Apr 2026
Tribute
… In loving memory of …. Michael ‘Mick’ O’Neill …
Late of Casino.
Passed away peacefully at John Flynn Private Hospital
on Monday 13th April.
aged 71 years.
Dearly loved husband of Rhondda (decd).
Stepfather of Donna.
Loving ‘Mick’ to Alex, Christian, Amy, Lachlann, and Poppy.
‘Rest in Peace’
Funeral Details
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend Mick’s
funeral service to be held at
The Arentz Chapel, Parkview Funeral Home,
41 Walker Street, Casino.
On Tuesday 21st April, commencing at 10.30am.
Parkview Funeral Home – Casino
41 Walker Street
Casino NSW 2470
Date: Tuesday, 21st April 2026
Time: 10:30 am
Time: 10:30 am
8 replies on “O’NEILL, Michael John”
Dear friend Mick.
Thank you for the many years of support, advice and kindness you extended to us, particularly when we were newcomers to bush life and all its trials and tribulations.
At a very stressful time, you were there, offering sage advice, humour and reassurance.
Always in our hearts, Suzanne
Plus. Thanks for all the splendid recommendations for superlative red wine.
A toast to you, a glass of red Mick.
Suzanne
Vale Mick. Kind thoughts to Mick’s family. I have fun memories of some wild-ish & good hearted times back in Forestry days at ANU. …You will be missed at our next reunion. (Bev).
Mick and I met by accident on the first tee at the Yowani Golf course in Canberra early 1973 , discovering we both were enrolled in ANU’s Forestry course. We were close over the next 5 years until he headed to NSW and me to SA for work.
I leaned some things about Mick in that period.
He:
• loved his parents
• regularly attended mass
• treasured his cousins and links to Norfolk Island
• was smart and decisive
• when motivated, studied and worked hard (his field report on logging impacts at Eden was outstanding)
• wrote clear, elegant prose
• loved the iconic hard working Australian bush character and the music that had its roots in them
• loved Irish folk music especially “The Black Velvet Band”
• was fun and loved a beer, a smoke and a song (sang “My eyes are dim….” to a bemused 9am Chemistry AO1 class after a campus Bush Breakfast)
• disliked “pikers” – those who failed to deliver their promises
In 2024 after Mick communicated that he was ill, Nerida and I met Mick in Casino to find him mellowed but still drawn to Ireland. He later described his times there as “feeling at home”. Fun loving Mick showed great stoicism, positivity and persistence, bearing his burden without complaining.
Vale Mick. It’s an honour to be a friend.
Mick,
When you first arrived at our office, I thought what would this old guy bring to the table (no you are not that much older than me I know)! But you proved to be a guy who could fit into any generation with ease! Your love of life and a good laugh made coming to work with you a pleasure. Your knowledge and professionalism left me in awe.
This world has been enriched having you a part off it! My life has also been enriched having you in it! RIP Mick enjoy that red wine and those Irish tunes you so loved.
Love from Tanya
Here’s to Mick, thinking back on many good times at Forestry ANU. Great to be in touch again over the last 2 years. A great bloke and friend, we’ll raise a glass to you at our 50th Forro reunion in 2027. Sincere condolences to family.
I can’t count the times Mick and I shared a song, rhyme or ditty. Always at the top to the social ladder.
As a young seedling in the forestry class of 1977 Mick stood out from day one – a lifelong friendship endured – the ‘social pastor’ to us all to enjoy life be generous and free – hundreds of nights and days having fun and studying and working hard – I was so pleased to spend time with Mick driving around his loved forests near Casino last year – Ken comments above are noted – his strenght in regular chats over last few years will endure with me as a loving memory – we will celebrate him in reunion in 2027 – never forgotten (Gregor)