Shane O’Neill (SPC 1965-68)

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Old Collegian Shane O’Neill (SPC 1965-68) who passed away on 21 January 2024, aged 73 years.

His funeral was held at The Wave in Ocean Grove on 2 February and we extend our condolences to his wife Meredith and their children Aaron, Fiona, Jarryd and Nicholas and their families. He was the son of Kevin and Vera O’Neill (both dec) and a grandpa of four.

Shane was born on 10 October 1950 and was a boarder at SPC from Scott’s Creek in south-west Victoria, and later Ringwood, in Melbourne.

He was an active and academic student at SPC, immersing himself in all facets of SPC life.

He completed his second year of matric in 1968, excelling as dux of economics, and in the St Peter’s Minor Seminary. He also loved playing football, cricket and rowing, throughout his schooling years, with success in both especially at the junior level, and even officiating some footy matches in his senior years. Shane demonstrated his community spirit from an early age, involved with the St Vincent de Paul Society, as president in 1968 and secretary of the 1967 executive.

After finishing at SPC, Shane began studying for the priesthood at Corpus Christi in Werribee, but did not complete this.

Shane enjoyed his time and memories of SPC, so much so that a booklet of his treasured school memories was placed on his coffin at his funeral. He was remembered fondly by a number of Old Collegians, who attended Shane’s funeral.