Cecil O'Neal

Profile Updated: April 14, 2023

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Residing In:

La Chapelle Gonaguet, France France

Spouse/Partner:

Rebecca Young

Occupation:

Professor Emeritus, Meadows School of the Arts, SMU

Military Service:

Army

Comments:

I spent the summer of 1961 working at my job at the Banner Gas station (cheapest gas in town, 29.9 a gallon at that time) on the corner of 63rd and 22nd. Jim Zaleski, Peter Gentile and I were fellow "Banner Boys". That fall I could not afford to go away to university so John Sturino and I joined the army, at the height of the Berlin crisis, on the "Buddy System" and went through basic training together.

On our first leave home after basic John asked me to rough up some senior who was giving his then girlfriend a hard time. John couldn't do it himself, because the guy was about my size and John thought he would have seemed too much of a bully taking on someone that much smaller.

After three years in the army, including about a year in Germany, and a bit of time bumming around Europe, I came back to kenosha and started university, first at the "extension", then in Madison. I received a BA in Political Science from U

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Cecil O'Neal posted a message.

Feb

21

Feb 21, 2025 at 1:40 PM

Hi Jim,

Thanks so much for your birthday wishes. It is always great to hear from you. Yes, the only person who has traveled further for a reunion was probably the late Frank Wells. He traveled all the way from Australia on year. We always enjoy the reunions so much. Looking forward to 2026.

All the best,
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.

Feb

22

Feb 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM

Posted on: Feb 21, 2025 at 1:33 PM

Dear Rita,

Thanks so much for your birthday wishes. I, too, am consistently late with these things. I often say that the only thing I get better at as I age is procrastination. :)

Yes we feel lucky to be living in France at this time, not that Europe is without its own problems. I look forward to telling you how we ended up there.

We are also looking forward to the 2026 reunion. In the meantime, come visit us in France.

XO
C

Henry Hartnek posted a message on Cecil O'Neal's Profile.

Feb

16

Feb 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM

Happy Birthday Cecil. Hope your enjoying the day spending it with family and friends. Stay safe.

Cecil O'Neal has a birthday today. New comment added.

Feb 16, 2025 at 1:15 PM

Posted on: Feb 16, 2025 at 4:33 AM

Cecil O'Neal has left an In Memory comment for Thomas Fugette.

Dec

25

Dec 25, 2024 at 8:08 AM

Rest in peace, my old friend. You will be sorely missed.

Cecil O'Neal posted a message on Bill Mayew's Profile. New comment added.

Oct

18

Oct 18, 2024 at 11:55 AM

Posted on: Oct 18, 2024 at 11:26 AM

Happy Birthday, William. i hope you have a grand, celebratory day. It is a chilly, damp evening here in rural France. I just built a fire in the fireplace. I am going to mix myself a martini and sit in front of the fire with a good book. Rebecca is in Louisville. Her mother died Tuesday evening at 101 years old. Becky was able to be with her for the last week of her life. Come on over. I'll make you a martini as well and we can sit in front of the fire and toast your 81st.

Best,
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal added a comment on his Profile.

Oct

15

Oct 15, 2024 at 8:49 AM

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.

Sep

18

Sep 18, 2024 at 11:03 PM

Posted on: Sep 18, 2024 at 9:38 AM

Belated Happy Birthday, Rita. I hope you had a grand day and that you are still celebrating.

XO
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.

Sep

10

Sep 10, 2024 at 9:31 AM

Posted on: Sep 09, 2024 at 6:53 AM

Happy birthday, Nancy! Hope it is a grand one.

Cecil O'Neal posted a message.

Aug

21

Aug 21, 2024 at 8:53 AM

Happy Birthday, Kate! Hope you have a grand day.

Cecil

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.

Aug

14

Aug 14, 2024 at 7:46 PM

Posted on: Aug 14, 2024 at 7:51 AM

Happy Birthday, Tom. I hope you have a grand day.

Best,
Cecil

Henry Hartnek posted a message on Cecil O'Neal's Profile.

Feb 17, 2024 at 5:13 PM

Belated Happy Birthday Cecil. Hope you had a great day. Stay safe.

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.

Feb 19, 2024 at 9:56 AM

Posted on: Feb 16, 2024 at 3:31 PM

Thanks, Ken. So why were you in hospital? Hope all is well with you now.

Best,
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal has a birthday today.

Feb 16, 2024 at 4:33 AM

Cecil O'Neal posted a message on Bill Mayew's Profile. New comment added.

Oct 19, 2023 at 7:26 AM

Posted on: Oct 19, 2023 at 5:52 AM

Hey, My Friend,

I sent a message yesterday, but it does not look like it posted. I hope you had a grand day. How about celebrating the next one here at our home in rural France?

Cheers
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message.

Oct 08, 2023 at 6:05 AM

Hey Zales,

Happy Birthday! I hope it is a glorious day for you,

Cheers
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message on Anthony (Tony) DiCello's Profile.

Aug 29, 2023 at 10:09 AM

Tony, thanks for the drink. Sorry you missed the party.

Best
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.

Aug 14, 2023 at 12:58 PM

Posted on: Aug 14, 2023 at 7:43 AM

Happy Birthday, Tom. Hope it is a great one. See you next week.

Cheers,
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.

Aug 16, 2023 at 1:53 AM

Posted on: Aug 13, 2023 at 7:59 AM

Dear Suzette,

Wishing you a belated very Happy Birthday!! I hope your European adventure was all that you had hoped for. Looking foreward to seeing you in Kenosha in a couple of weeks.

XO
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.

Jul 06, 2023 at 4:42 PM

Posted on: Jul 06, 2023 at 6:21 AM

Hey Peter,

Happy Birthday, My Friend! I hope it is a glorious one. Oddly, I find the idea of being 80 more difficult than the day to day reality of being 80. Will you be at the birthday bash in August? I’d love to see you there.

Cheers
C

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Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 1:02 AM