Meet Our Donors
Major Fitzhugh L. O'Neill, Jr.
Ruth and Hugh O’Neill in 1991 at their 50th wedding anniversary
We are pleased to welcome a very special donor into our Circleof Friends, Major (Ret.) Fitzhugh O'Neil, Jr. "Hugh" has lived at Bishop's Glen since July 1996.
Hugh was born in Norfolk, VA and grew up in New York City during the depression. As a child, he admired police officers and firefighters for their devotion to their community and had ambitions of someday being in one of those professions. He also dreamed of someday being a pilot. As years went by, Mr. O'Neill came to realize his childhood fantasies as he ventured into his many careers.
First, he became a NYC police officer in 1942. Then during WWII, he was in the Army Air Force as a Pilot. At the end of the war he became a NYC Fireman and at the same time he joined Air Force Reserve so he could continue his calling to the skies.
During the Korean War he was recalled to active duty in the Air Force as a Pilot and it was at that time he decided to make the Air Force his career. During his aviation career he was promoted to an Operations Officer. He attended college at night and earned his BBA degree. It was at that time he was accepted into the regular Air Force. For many years Major O'Neill was able to fulfill his love of flying. In 1968 Major O'Neill retired from the Air Force to begin yet another career by becoming a stockbroker for Bache & Co.
Through the exciting changes in his careers, Hugh and his wife, Ruth raised a family. Ruth meanwhile joined an art club in Daytona Beach and became the president for two consecutive years. She has contributed numerous beautiful oil and watercolor paintings to decorate Bishop's Glen.
They have two grown children, Fitzhugh III who lives in Apopka, Florida, and Kenneth who resides in Gastonia, North Carolina. He has one grand child, Sandra Wright who lives in Plymouth, Michigan.
Hugh keeps himself very busy with his current hobbies including being an avid bridge player (a Silver Life Master Player in the American Contract League), crossword puzzles, reading Sci-Fi and historical fiction.
We are honored and proud to have Major O'Neill-a former NYC Police Officer, NYC Fireman, a WWII and Korean War veteran and a former stock broker residing at Bishop's Glen.
As a donor Major O'Neill is aware of and grateful for the fine work of RHF. He is making his gift in memory of his wife, Ruth who passed away January 2003. Creating Charitable Gift Annuity with RHF is an investment in the future. "I am assured that I will receive a life time income, while having the satisfaction of knowing that in the future some deserving individuals at Bishop's Glen will benefit from my blessings in life."
RHF regrets that Major O’Neill passed away in 2005