Issue date: November 18, 1998
Former principal at Sacred Heart Prep, Brian Pierre O'Neil, collapsed and died of an apparent massive heart attack November 11 outside his French classroom on the Atherton campus.
Mr. O'Neil, 59, came to Sacred Heart as the high school's second male principal in 1987 after a search for a successor to Thomas C. McIntyre, who resigned. In 1993, Mr. O'Neil decided to step down as principal but continued teaching French at the school. He wore a pacemaker and had a history of heart problems.
Mr. O'Neil was described as a "gentleman and a gentle man" by Sister Nancy Morris, former director of Sacred Heart Schools. He was carrying treats to his French III class when he collapsed in the hallway.
A teacher immediately performed CPR, the medics arrived quickly and worked on him for a long time, but they couldn't bring him back, said school officials.
Classes were canceled that afternoon and an all-school assembly was held. Grief counselors were on hand to help the students.
The life of Brian O'Neil was celebrated at an all-school liturgy November 12 on the Sacred Heart campus. Students and faculty were led by Father Patrick LaBelle, a chaplain at Stanford, in a tribute that served, said school officials, as a time of healing and closure for students and faculty, shaken by the unexpected loss.
Mr. O'Neil was remembered for his humor, his love of bird-watching and literature, and for his concern for students. He urged them to challenge themselves to excel scholastically while treating each other with kindness and respect, said those who know him. He was passionate about French and loved movies, they said.
A graduate of Assumption College in Worchester, Massachusetts, Mr. O'Neil received a master of arts degree in French from Laval University in Quebec, Canada. He taught French at the University of Massachusetts and at Deerfield Academy, where he received the John J. Lewis Chair in Humanities, an acknowledgment of outstanding performance as a teacher.
He first came to California in 1977 as a teacher and administrator at the Athenian School in Danville. Six years later, he became headmaster of York Country Day School in York, Pennsylvania. Before coming to Sacred Heart Prep, he was the administrative consultant and director of college placement at Dana Hall in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
When he arrived at Sacred Heart, he saw his role as providing leadership that would enable the former all girls' school that went coed in 1984 to grow academically in all areas, including community service and athletics. He also worked with Sister Morris on long-range planning and fund-raising.
Mr. O'Neil is survived by his wife, Ann Jeffries of Atherton; three sons, David, Eric and Stephen; and four grandchildren, the youngest of whom was born last week.
A scholarship fund has been established at Sacred Heart Preparatory in Mr. O'Neil's name. Contributions may be sent to Brian O'Neil Scholarship Fund, Sacred Heart Prep, 150 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton, CA 94027.
© 1998 The Almanac. All Rights Reserved.