Former Peace Corps Field Training Officer John O’Neill to receive Marian Award



In July of 1962, O’Neill became one of the first Peace Corps volunteers. He began his work as a Field Training Officer in the tropical rain forests of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, where he taught survival and endurance skills. President John F. Kennedy was en route to visit O’Neill’s training operation after his trip to Dallas, Texas, but was assassinated during a mid-day motorcade on November 23, 1963. O’Neill never got to meet President Kennedy, but later on a trip to Washington, D.C. met with Kenneth O’Donnell, Kennedy’s assistant, who gave O’Neill a gold pin of PT 109 with the word “Kennedy” engraved on it.

Former Peace Corps Field Training Officer John O’Neill to receive Marian Award

Dr. O'Neill to receive Marian Medal

By Margaret Carroll-Bergman

I&M Staff Writer

John O’Neill is a man who has reinvented himself over the years, but the one thing which remains constant for this Korean War veteran, former Peace Corps volunteer, and former superintendent of the Nantucket public schools, is his faith and dedication to the Catholic Church. This Sunday at 3 p.m., Bishop George Coleman of the Diocese of Fall River will award O’Neill the Marian Medal at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street in Fall River.

Father Paul Caron of St. Mary’s church nominated O’Neill for the award which recognizes members of diocesan parishes as outstanding devotion and service. Made of sterling silver, the Marian Medal is embossed with a Miraculous Medal on one side and the Fall River Diocesan coat-of-arms on the other.

“John is very deserving,” said Caron. “Plus, all that he has done for the community. He is a great guy and a giving man.”

For the past six years, O’Neill has been providing prenuptial guidance for couples. As the facilitator for discussions between the engaged couple, O’Neill guides the couple through 101questions developed by marriage counselors which measures a couple’s ability to work and live together.

“He meets every couple that is getting married,” said Caron. “John is perfectly suited for this.”

In July of 1962, O’Neill became one of the first Peace Corps volunteers. He began his work as a Field Training Officer in the tropical rain forests of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, where he taught survival and endurance skills. President John F. Kennedy was en route to visit O’Neill’s training operation after his trip to Dallas, Texas, but was assassinated during a mid-day motorcade on November 23, 1963.

O’Neill never got to meet President Kennedy, but later on a trip to Washington, D.C. met with Kenneth O’Donnell, Kennedy’s assistant, who gave O’Neill a gold pin of PT 109 with the word “Kennedy” engraved on it.

“’He wanted you to have this,’ said O’Donnell,” recounted O’Neill of the gift.

O’Neill says there is a similarity in preparing people for the Peace Corps and preparing couples for marriage.

“There is a commonality,” he said. “If you are not prepared for it or prepared for a new environment, you will not be prepared for the different aspects of life.”

Not every couple passes the test to go to the altar, according to the former Nantucket school superintendent who served for 11 years.

“In the beginning, I told the first two couples they were not ready to get married,” said O’Neill. “By the time I interviewed the third couple and thought they were not ready to get married, I told Father Paul that this might not be right for me, but he told me to keep going.”

Reach Margaret Carroll-Bergman at mbergman@inkym.com

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Headlines: November, 2006; Staff; Training; Awards; Massachusetts

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