Randolph M. O'Neill

Randy Michael O’Neill, 65, of Huntersville, NC, passed away suddenly on April 10, 2019 while vacationing in the Commonwealth of Dominica.  Randy was born in Belleville, Ontario, on December 10th, 1953. 

Randy was preceded in death by his father, Thomas O’Neill.  He is survived by his wife, Jane; his children Liam and Tara; his mother, Florence Finkle (Ernie Finkle;) his brother, David O’Neill (Suzanne); and his sister, Andrea Robichaud (Paul).

A Celebration of Randy’s Life will be held on Saturday, April 20th, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home with a reception to follow.  A separate memorial service will be held in Belleville, Ontario, Canadain May.

Randy was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada and moved to Ottawa, Ontario in his early teen years.  He graduated from Carleton University in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.  He proudly served in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Naval Officer on board Her Majesties Canadian Ship Saskatchewan.  After receiving a medical discharge from military service, Randy worked as a forensic engineer for B. I. & I. in Toronto.  He also worked for Schlumberger in Alberta, Texas, and Venezuela and eventually started his own consulting business, R.M. O’Neill & Associates Ltd., where he considered it his good fortune to work with his sister, Andrea.  Randy earned his MBA at York University in 1989.

Randy relocated to the United States in 1994 declaring himself a climatic refugee from the cold weather in Canada.  His dream was to live in St. Pete’s Beach, FL, but the economy forced him to move to Columbia, SC.   Randy met Jane through work in Columbia, SC and they were married in December 1996.  Randy’s son, Liam was born in 1998 and daughter, Tara, in 2000.  Randy became a citizen of the United States in 2004.

As a father, Randy loved to do family related things.  He was a Cub Scout Leader for Liam’s Cub Scout Troop and both kids have fond memories of the camping expeditions they would go on and many marshmallow guns he made for the kids to enjoy.  A fond Cub Scout memory with Liam was a biking trip in Virginia.  Randy went to every dance recital, swim meet, school play, performance and father-daughter dance.  He taught both children how to drive and was proud to go as a family when the children voted for the first time.  Randy was always there for the important first events with his children and we cannot emphasize enough how great a dad he was. 

Randy’s last job was at Bank of America where he was employed for more than seven years.  His most recent job was a Data Support Manager and he was doing work he enjoyed.  Randy frequently talked about his work and the many wonderful people he interacted with each day. 

Randy joined the Lake Norman Martial Arts Academy with the hope that the entire family would ultimately become Black Belts.  Randy earned his Black Belt in Kempo Karate on February 28, 2015 after a grueling test and it was one of the proudest days of his life.  Randy enjoyed teaching martial arts classes at the dojo and made many wonderful friends who he admired.

Randy joined Toastmasters International to become a better speaker.  He hoped to complete all requirements for the Distinguished Toastmasters Award by December 2019.  Randy was an Area Director for Toastmasters and devoted many hours each week to serving the many Toastmasters in his area.  Randy valued the many people he met through Toastmasters and the feedback they’ve provided over the years.

In September 2018, Randy and his family decided to learn to SCUBA dive together through Open Water Adventures.  The family enjoyed training together and made plans for several trips in the future.  Randy and Jane decided to join a trip to the Commonwealth of Dominica with a group of Divers from Open Water Adventures.  This was the first trip without the children in twenty-one years.  Randy and Jane were having a wonderful time having spent the first night in Puerto Rico before flying into Dominica.  The island was beautiful, and Randy and Jane were surrounded by the constant crashing of the Caribbean Sea, wonderful people, and beautiful sites.  On the morning of his death, Randy was looking forward to his sixth dive of the trip.  He enjoyed a wonderful breakfast and good conversation before heading out to the boat.  Randy was relaxed and looking forward to the dives and going to the local market afterward.  His death was unexpected and very quick – he didn’t suffer.  Randy passed away doing something he loved on what was up to that point an amazing vacation.  His family takes comfort in that.

Please celebrate the wonderful life Randy has lived with the people who love him.

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