Obituary: James O'Neil, 29 of Hazlet

James (Jim) O’Neill, 29, of Hazlet N.J., died Sunday at home, after a courageous battle against cholangiocarcinoma. He fought long and hard, under the care of doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, with his devoted mother by his side, while enduring several rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. He finally received his liver transplant in August 2012, only to be faced with additional setbacks and complications, but always held onto hope that he would one day be healthy again. In January, it was confirmed that the cancer had returned and was terminal. At this time he was transferred home to N.J. to be surrounded by family. 

James was a lifelong resident of Hazlet, graduating from Raritan High School in 2001. He was a supervisor at Costco in Hazlet, and appreciated all the love, concern, support and generosity shown to him and his family by his coworkers during his illness. Jim was an avid NY Mets, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Miami Dolphin fan. While he was sometimes known as a wisecracking, smart-alecky kind of guy, he was also a very brave, strong willed, good hearted young man. 

Jim was predeceased by his father, John O’Neill. He is survived by his loving mother, Patricia O’Neill, his sister and brother in law, Tracy and Paul Buczynski, and their children, Emily, Paul Jr., Kathryn, Luke and Sean, his brother and sister in law, Phillip and Mary Ellen O’Neill and their son Liam, and his sister and brother in law, Lori and John Twardos and their children, Andrew and Ryan. 

The family asks that you consider being an organ donor, as it is truly a Gift of Life for many people. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Gift of Life Transplant House, who so graciously housed him while in Minnesota, during many long months far away from home.  

James will be reposing on Tuesday, March 5th, 2013 from 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. at the Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home 1735 Rt. 35. Middletown, New Jersey 07748. Prayer Service will be on Wednesday morning at 11 A.M. Private cremation to follow.