Meet Bill O'Neill, Retired Engineer, East Coast Greenway Advocate, Tennis Coach

I met Bill O'Neill for the first time in the 1990s when I attended a ribbon cutting for a section of the bike trail that extended from Charter Oak Park to Porter Street. I spoke to him after the event, and he gave me a VHS video tape that explained the positive aspects of multi-use trails, which were somewhat controversial at the time. I met Bill again a couple of weeks ago at another ribbon cutting dedicating the covered bridge in Andover that is a part of the East Coast Greenway. I asked him for an interview regarding his work on the Greenway project. Bill agreed, and I found out that he is involved in the community in many other ways as well.

Timothy Becker: You are well known for the engineering firm that still bears your name, Fuss & O'Neill. How did you get involved in engineering?

Bill O'Neill: I grew up in Canton, Massachusetts and worked for my uncle as a construction laborer during high school. I enjoyed working outdoors and wanted to continue as a laborer. My uncle told me that he would fire me if I didn't go to college. I enjoyed work that is hands on, so I decided to study civil engineering at UMass at Amherst. My Grandfather had been an aviator in World War I, and that inspired me to sign up for ROTC.

Timothy Becker: You went into the service after graduating from college?

Bill O'Neill: I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in one of the least heard of services: the Coast and Geodetic Survey. There are only 170 officers and the missions involve making charts of the ocean and doing land surveys. I applied for a transfer to the Navy Dive School and was denied. I went to see the major who had denied my application and he gave me three hours to write a letter explaining my request. He approved my transfer to the Navy and I became an ensign. I was in a class of seven men and we were training in Washington D.C. In 1961, we were invited to the inauguration of John. F. Kennedy. I served for two years.

Timothy Becker: What did you do after serving in the Navy?

Bill O'Neill: At that time it was difficult to find a job. I applied for a position in Windsor as an assistant town engineer and was fortunate to get the position. Bob Weiss was the town manger of Windsor at that time. I then went on to become town engineer in South Windsor and in 1968 I became public works director in Manchester and reported to Manchester General Manager Bob Weiss.

Timothy Becker: When did you go on to your own engineering firm?

Bill O'Neill: Walter Fuss who was public works director in Manchester before me went on to start Griswold & Fuss. By 1973, they had grown to about 17 employees and asked me to join the firm. I had expressed interest in becoming a partner and I was assured that the other partners would retire when they reached age 60 giving me an opportunity. In 1976, I became a partner and the business became Fuss & O'Neill. I helped move the business to Hartford Road into the old Cheney Brothers offices. There are over 300 employees now. At age 60, I also was required to retire.

Timothy Becker: How did you get interested in multi-use trails?

Bill O'Neill: My interest started during my first job in Windsor when we designed Stroh Park. We incorporated a few short hiking trails into the design. When I was public works director in Manchester I made a map of places in Manchester where trails could be made. I also was involved in the design of I-384 exit three where there is a soccer field right in the middle of the clover leaf and an underpass so that you can walk to other parts of Charter Oak Park. There was an article about it in Time Magazine in August of 1971. As public works director, I also worked with State Senator Michael Meotti to get state funds for a bike trail alongside I-384. The original state grant of $750,000 became a 20 percent match for Federal Transportation Funding. I know that if we build multi-use trails they will be used.

Timothy Becker: How did you become an advocate for the East Coast Greenway?

Bill O'Neill: In 1992, planners from New York City proposed a trail from Boston to Washington. Governor Lowell Wiecker appointed me to the Connecticut Greenway Council. I am currently Vice-Chair. Our goal is a trail from Canada all the way to Key West Florida. It will be three-thousand miles long. It is about 25 percent complete.

Timothy Becker: How did you become a tennis coach?

Bill O'Neill: I have coached the Woman's Tennis Team at East Catholic High School for the past four years. All my children graduated from East. I have played tennis for 60 years. When I saw the position advertised I applied for it. I really enjoy it. Our team just qualified for the state tournament last week.

Timothy Becker: I understand that you are one of the founding officers of the St. James School Foundation. Can you talk about the foundation's mission?

Bill O'Neill: In the 1970s Catholic Schools were struggling financially. Some schools were being closed. As parents, alumni, and friends of the school we were determined that St. James School would not suffer that fate. The first fundraiser in 1975, a phonathon raised $5,600. Over the years there have been numerous fundraising events. As of last year the fund was valued at over $2.7 million. The money is with a fund manger that placed the fund into a very conservative investment. The investment results are allocated to the school for tuition assistance, educational equipment, computers and enrichment programs.

Timothy Becker: What important events do you have coming up this year?

Bill O'Neill: On June 6 at 1:30 p.m. we are dedicating another section of the Charter Oak Greenway at Porter and Highland Street. The Connecticut Department of Transportation is working on the design that will bring the trail all the way to Bolton Notch. I also have a very important event later this year.

Timothy Becker: What event is that?

Bill O'Neill: The most important part of my life was meeting Carol Mentor at UMass. We are celebrating our 50^th wedding anniversary on October 27, 2012 with our children Dan, Kathleen, Steve and Susan, our daughter-in-laws Jen and Kathleen, our son-in-laws Kent and Michael and our 10 grandchildren.

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