John Patrick O’Neil of Jeffersonville, Vermont, passed away at home in the loving arms of his wife, Genie, on Saturday June 6, 2026, after a long battle with leukemia that he fought with courage and dignity.

John was born on July 2, 1948, to Edward and Dorothy (Deso) O’Neil, in St. Albans, Vermont, where he and his older brother Skip were raised. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in St. Albans, and went on to earn his B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Vermont in 1970. Shortly after graduating from UVM, he met his wife, Eugenia Currie. They married on September 26, 1975, and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last year, surrounded by their friends and family.

In 1978 John joined IBM, embarking on a long and successful almost 30-year career there. His dedication and steady presence earned the respect of colleagues and friends alike. In retirement, he discovered a passion for woodworking, becoming remarkably skilled and creating pieces that will be treasured reminders of his craftmanship.

A Green Mountain boy through and through, John loved Vermont deeply, and he and Genie saw no reason to leave the state they called home. They settled briefly in Underhill, then moved to Essex where their children, Stephanie O’Neil Ferree and Gregory O’Neil, were born, raised, and educated. Shortly before retirement, John and Genie built a new home in Jeffersonville, where John could ski every day of the winter at his beloved Smugglers’ Notch. In warmer months, the two became passionate pickleball players, spending their summer days playing with friends on their driveway court and at venues nearby.

John was, above all else, a devoted and loving husband to Genie. She and their children and grandchildren were his entire world. Calm, patient, wise, and deeply caring, he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife, Eugenia; daughter Stephanie Ferree and spouse Eli; son Gregory O’Neil; grandchildren Connor and Emily O’Neil; step grandchildren Ronin and River Ferree; and brother Skip O’Neil and his wife Judy.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 27 from 2-4 at the Highlands Day Lodge at Smugglers’ Notch Resort.   

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the UVM Medical Center Cancer Center: Ways to Give | University of Vermont Health