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In Memoriam - Patrick S. O'Neale, P.E.

August 23, 1958 – April 2, 2021 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Board member and Past President, Patrick S. O’Neale, P.E.; Patrick waged a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer and passed away at home with his family by his side on the afternoon of Friday, April 2, 2021.  

Born in Washington, D.C., son of the late Hugh W. and Germaine M. (Lesieur) O’Neale, he had resided in Fairhaven for the past 34 years. He was a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University in 1981. 

Patrick was hired by Tata & Howard, Inc. in April 2000 as a Project Manager.  He served as Manager for the Lakeville office where he was instrumental in growing T&H business in the southeast region of Massachusetts.   He was promoted to Associate in 2003 and Vice President in 2006.  Patrick was appointed to the T&H Board of Directors in 2008.  He was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2017.  During his tenure, Patrick held various management positions including leading the Quality Control and Quality Assurance Team.  Patrick dedicated his professional life to client service.  Patrick was an excellent engineer, mastering the technical side of engineering, as well as becoming a role model for client service.  He spent many evenings solving problems, assisting clients, and attending countless meetings to advance the development and protection of water supply and water infrastructure in Massachusetts.  He was instrumental in helping the Town of Falmouth with their Long Pond Water Treatment Plant, which went online in 2017. For the work done by Patrick and the team at Tata & Howard, Inc. the plant was recognized with a 2018 Silver Engineering Excellence Award for engineering services by The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA). Patrick was also instrumental in the formation of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District which includes water supply sources operated by the towns of Fairhaven, Marion, and Mattapoisett, and also serves the Town of Rochester. Rather than constructing several treatment facilities for the eight wells, the towns teamed to construct a single advanced water treatment facility saving the towns approximately $5 million by building the plant jointly - a model for how regionalization can be successful.  He will be greatly missed, but his drive, pursuit of excellence and dedication to client service will live on at T&H and provide inspiration for future generations of engineers. 

Patrick was also a very active member of several water works organizations in Massachusetts and was well regarded among his peers. He served on Mass Water Works Associations’ Board of Directors, having been elected in 2015 and advancing to President in 2019; he was currently serving as Past President for the association. Patrick was also involved on the Program Committee for Mass Water Works, serving as co-chair for several years. He was chair of the Vendor Relations Committee for Plymouth County Waterworks Association and was a frequent presenter on water-related topics at association meetings. He was a recipient of Plymouth County Waterworks Associations’ David L. Regan Associate Member Award in 2006 for his outstanding service to the water works profession. 

Known as Grandad, Patrick loved his family, especially his three grandsons who were the love of his life. 

Surviving in addition to his wife are four children, Shannon Anderson and husband Christopher, Brittney O’Neale, Morgan O’Neale and Sean O’Neale; three grandsons, Gavin, Brody, and Wyatt; his siblings, Donna Tipton and husband Dave, Hugh John O’Neale, Mary Roth and husband Mark, Kathy Church and husband Buddy, Daniel O’Neale and wife Sharon, Helen Norris and Rick O’Neale; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, William O’Neale. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Patrick’s memory can be made to Water for People at www.waterforpeople.org

Private services are in the care of Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn, 180 Washington St., Fairhaven. 

For online tributes, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com

The water works community lost a special person on Friday - Patrick was a true leader, a kind man, and a friend to so many.  Please keep Patrick's family in your thoughts during this very difficult time.

With Water Works Pride,

Jennifer Pederson
Executive Director
 

Massachusetts Water Works Association | PO Box 1064, Acton, MA  01720 | 978-263-1388 [email protected]