He was born in Biddeford on May 24, 1924, to Albert and Theodora (Bedard) Desrochers.
During the Great Depression, he left grade school to work on the family farm using horse drawn equipment. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a gunner on a Liberty ship in the North Atlantic.
On Sept. 21, 1946, he married Florence M. Desautels at St. Andre’s Church in Biddeford.
Oneil worked as a carpenter starting on residential construction, then progressed to commercial sites and retired as an accomplished cabinetmaker. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening. He achieved a lifelong dream of fishing in Alaska with his sons.
He was preceded in death by: his son, Raymond; his wife, Florence Desrochers; and four sisters, Rachel Cyr, Dolores Daigle, Cecile Carusillo and Laurette Desrochers.
He is survived by: two sons, Norman Desrochers of Hollis, and Roger Desrochers and wife, Betty, of Limerick; two sisters, Doris Boucher of Biddeford, and Priscilla Baillargeon and husband, Andre, also of Biddeford; three grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
An hour of visitation will be held from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, immediately followed by a funeral mass at St Matthews Church, 19 Dora Lane in Limerick. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to; Tibbetts Memorial Park, c/o Vickie Carroll, 45 Elm St., Limerick ME 04048.
Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.
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