Carlton “Hap” O’Neil, 91, of Brittany Pointe Estates in Lansdale, PA, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2021.
Hap was born on November 15, 1929 in Plainfield, NJ. He was the second oldest of four sons of Carlton J. O’Neil and Anna R. Boden. Hap was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Plainfield High School in 1948. After graduating high school, Hap completed his plebe year at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point before transferring to Rutgers University where he participated in ROTC and rowed crew. He graduated in 1953 with a mechanical engineering degree and after graduation, joined the U.S. Air Force. Hap completed electronics school at Biloxi, MS and was stationed at Fuchu Air Station in Tokyo, Japan. While on leave in Japan, Hap visited India and climbed 12,400-foot high Mount Fuji.
After completing his military service, Hap joined Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co. as a salesman in Philadelphia, PA. In 1959, Hap married Dorothy L. Krauss of Rosemont, PA and they moved to Paoli, PA to raise their three sons, Stephen, Mark, and Jim. Hap joined the filtration and minerals division of Johns-Manville Corp. as a salesman in 1966 and moved with his family to Basking Ridge, NJ where they lived until 1976. In 1976, Hap and his family moved to Moraga, California and in 1987 to Santa Maria, CA where he served as the Western Region Sales Manager for World Minerals until his retirement in 1995.
After retiring, Hap and Dottie enjoyed seven wonderful years in beautiful Fort Collins, Colorado where they were active skiing, rooting for the Colorado State University women’s basketball team, and enjoying activities with their many friends. In 2005, Hap and Dottie moved to Acts Edgewater Estates in Boca Raton, FL. In 2008, Hap and Dottie returned to the Northeast to Acts Brittany Pointe Estates in Lansdale, PA.
For 57 years, Hap and Dottie shared their beloved summer shore house in Stone Harbor, NJ with countless family and friends. A lifelong sailor, Hap owned several sailboats over his life which he sailed in the Stone Harbor and San Francisco bays.
Hap loved reading and was always interested in talking to and learning about others’ experiences. Hap had the ability to see the best in others and was always available to listen to and provide a calm, reassuring perspective on things. Hap’s integrity and decency was apparent to everyone he encountered in his personal and professional life. He was generous to friends, family and others. Hap was a patient, kind, and loving, husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many, and his optimistic outlook, hopeful spirit, and warm smile will be missed.
Hap was preceded in death by his wife Dottie, son Stephen, and brothers Dick and Jerry. He is survived by his brother Bill O’Neil of Morristown, NJ, sons Jim of Manhattan Beach, CA and Mark (wife Eva) of Westfield, NJ, and three grandsons, Michael, Matthew, and Eric.
Service arrangements are pending. Please check back.