A memorial service at Bay Pines Cemetery in Seminole, Fla., is scheduled for Oct. 21, 10:45 am, for George A. Onieal, 89, of Seminole, Fla. He passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 4, surrounded by his daughter, Peg; two sons, Brian and George; and two daughters-in-law, Jan and Annamarie. Born in Jersey City, he graduated from Lincoln High School and was drafted into the Army in 1943. He landed in the Normandy Invasion in June, 1944 and fought across France with the 4th Armored Division and the 87th Infantry, into Belgium in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944, and then into Germany until the war ended in 1945. He was decorated and honorably discharged from the Army, returning home to join the Jersey City Fire Department in 1950.
He served for 28 years in the busiest hook-and-ladder companies in the city, and received several commendations for bravery. He retired in 1978 and moved to Seminole, working several years with the Bic Pen Company. He was extremely of his Army and Jersey City Fire Department service.
He was predeceased by his wife, Marguerite (Lennon) in 1995; father, Martin in 1958; mother, Frances (Long) in 1971; his brothers, Eugene in 1999 and John in 1991. He is survived by his sister, Saxon; and brother, Martin; and eight children, Denis, (Ret. JCFD) (Janice), Peg Atamian (Robert), Marie-Eileen (Karen), Brian (Ret. JCPD), (Annamaria), Diane Bonelli (Michael), Susan Kweller (Al); George (Jennifer), and Ellen Little (Wayne). He loved his nine grandchildren, Kathryn McNew (Ron, Fairfax FD), Brian (Ret. JCFD), Ian Atamian (Christina), James (Eileen), William, Michael (NYPD), Jonathan and Anthony Bonelli, and Alex; and his six great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Cassidy McNew, Ethan and Dylan Atamian, and Tyler and Jordyn Bonelli.
George was a charter member of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1066 (JCFD) and served as an elected officer in that organization and in the New Jersey State IAFF organization as a lobbyist in the New Jersey legislature. He was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, and an avid Tampa Bucs and Rays sports fan. He was a founding member of the Sunday breakfast club for retired firefighters in Pinellas County. There will be a memorial service and he will be interred with full military honors with his wife Marguerite in the Bay Pines Veterans Cemetery. Services arranged by the Lewis W. Mohn Funeral Home, Seminole, Fla., (727) 393-3481.