Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held last week for the new United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley distribution center at 8133 Market St, that carries the names of its major benefactors, including the Centofanti family, and John and Denise York. The large warehouse at the site honors the late Fr. Tim O’Neill.
      Fr. O’Neill, a graduate of Ursuline High School, who served as an inspiration to many people in the Mahoning Valley, died in Oct., 2021.
      He was ordained on May 27, 1967 by the Most Reverend James W. Malone, Bishop of Youngstown, in the Cathedral of St. Columba. Following ordination he served as associate pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Canton and as Stark County Director of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). He joined the faculty at Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in 1970, teaching religion and serving as chaplain for the school’s athletic teams for nearly two decades.
      Fr. O’Neill retired in 2015 after 22 years at St. Patrick’s Church in Hubbard, and also spent time as the pastor at St. Michael’s in Canfield and St. Paul’s in New Middletown.
      Father O’Neill lived by the mantra “Unselfish giving equals happiness.”
      His unselfish giving was evident with the many awards he received over the years. Besides his dedication as a teacher and pastor, Fr. O’Neill co-founded The Difference Makers, a charitable nonprofit organization dedicated to helping those in need, especially children.
      In 2009 he was selected by the Youngstown Hearing and Speech Center that is headquartered in Boiardman as a Great Communicator honoree “for his outstanding contribution to communications and service to the community.” He served as a member of the board and volunteer counselor at the Neil Kennedy Recovery Clinic.
      Father O’Neill also received the prestigious “Ellis Island Medal of Honor” from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, the highest award granted to American citizens.
      While at Cardinal Mooney, Ft. O’Neill had a favorite saying he would often relate to students--- “Just be.”
      Fr. O’Neill never forgot a name, and was known for caring for others. He inspired many people.
      Upon his retirement he noted “I’ve always been drawn to helping people.” That legacy is now remembered in the new United Way facility’s warehouse, appropriately named Fr. Tim O’Neill’s Difference Maker’s Warehouse, that display the words “The key to happiness is a life of unselfish giving.”