January 14th 1999 :At 12:15 AM Wed. 1/13/99 Gary Jones father, Walter Leon Jones went to be with Jesus. Gary led him to Jesus Monday. Pray for Gary & his family.
Patty Daniels-Sief about Skip O'Neill
Some thoughts from Chris Hirtler
Chris Blaise about Skip O'Neill
CHRIS BLAISE SPEAKS ABOUT SKIPS FUNERAL
I came to know Skip shortly after I got saved in spring '75. I went to be under his shepherdship in Worcester because I was a brother who needed a lot of questions answered and he seemed to have them all. His keen perception of human nature was beyond what many in our church had, and that is saying a lot, and many of us in the Worcester house needed his particular type of help. He told me several times that he was the one who had better contact with the flock while ST had the "heavier" responsibilities. His job as he saw it was to filter down the direction from ST to the rest of us in a way that we could relate to more easily. Skip's Bible studies were always meaty and you came away inspired and motivated. They were always eagerly looked forward to by all of us in the New England center when we went to the center meetings. Chris Blaise's comments about the strife "at the top" were eye openers for me and I am sad that Skip, a brother with so much talent, left this world feeling his potential was never fully realized.I will miss not being ever able to make contact with him, which was something I was planning to do shortly. There was much I wanted to tell him and thank him for.
Chris Hirtler
Dec 16th: Here are some thoughts from brothers and sisters about Skip.
I was sad to hear about Skip. I had not seen him in many years, but I know a brother who was close to him. Yours in Christ, John
... I understand that Skip was very instrumental in starting the FF and COBU and that his efforts helped lead to thousands getting coming to Jesus over the years.
I was thinking about how all of us are getting older and that this could be a warning for the ex-COBU brothers; we don't have all that much time to pursue things other than our relationship with Jesus.
Mark Loftus
Thanks for letting me know, Mike. Skip and his family are in my prayers.
Elizabeth
My sympathy to all. I personally never knew him, but regardless, I send my best wishes.
Please keep me informed re: the funeral etc. etc. I am very sorry to hear about that.
Christine V. Ford
I remember Skip as a kind brother.
Tom Pierron
... I knew Skip, but haven't kept in touch with him for so many years... I don't really have any words to say beyond the fact that I love him, that he was a kind and thoughtful brother.
Steve Evans
I had read the news on the site earlier in the day I never met him but i had heard many things. It is very sad to me to here of his passing. Thank you for including me although I wish it were of better circumstances. I will not be suprised if Stew uses it to beat the brethren into further submission and this saddens me as well
Tod
DEC 15::::Skip's funeral is tomorrow. He was not married at the time of his death. I still am open to be of help to those near him. God is present in this. Many brothers and sisters are going to the funeral. Many coming from great distances. I will post as many notes right here as I can tomorrow about Skip and memories of him.
Here is a note that was forwarded to me.
...i found out some info... services are 2pm wed. at j.s. burkholder funeral home 16th & hamilton st. allentown call 1-2 pm wed. thats all i know right now God Bless Tony
Mike, would you please put out an inquiry over the Web to see if anyone knows a way to get in touch with the following people who might want to know about Skip: Mark Strohl, Paul Bonariggo, Timmy Kolowitz, Rick McLean, George Rice, Joe Ford, Mike Simpson, Janice Henry. I'd really appreciate it...thanks.
If someone could email me and let me know who to contact if brothers and sisters want to send condolences and thoughts and support to those close to Skip. I did not know him. I know you all did. If there is anything I can do here to help. Praise God for Skip is home. But we want to be there for those that are still here. Read the entry directly below this one..please.
Skip O'neil died yesterday of a massive heart attack.Please post it on the web page.I love him and will miss him dearly.Neil Pendry probably knows the address of the funeral palor and time.It is in Allentown on Monday.Patty Sief invites you to email her about Skip
Nancy Timmons
Alice Divini
Gary Kokolus
Austin from D.C.
Dawn Bennet
Roger Gonzales
Bob Welch
Dave Chesnut
Charles Edelman
Ed Burkhardt
Peggy O'Donnell
I'm writing to let you know that my younger brother Joel LaVerdure went on to be with the Lord Nov 20th 1982. He died in a car accident. Joel was saved in the Hartford Fellowship around Nov. 1976 and lived at a couple of other fellowship houses before coming to the NYTC in 1978. He left shortly before I left.Please add him to the list of brothers and sisters who are home with the Lord.
I understand that Charles Jones died of AIDS some years back, in the eighties. He was a center leader down South and was a squad leader in the carpet cleaning business. His brother was Richard Jones and he was married to Selena Jones.
I also fondly remember Gary Kokolus, the dear brother who was killed when the old van had tire problems, and pulling off to the shoulder, Gary going to the back to open the back door and find the jack, a drunk driver came flying over the hill, and careened right into Gary, pinning him to the van, and killing him instantly. Irene and I loved Gary, we lived in his building, and he was a great brother. He liked to pretend he was a genteel gentleman from the Civil War time, and he would call us Miss Nancy and Miss Irene, and I called him Mr. Kokolus. I specifically remember that at that time he used to always carry one of those little ABS booklets of the Book of the Revelation in his khaki, button-pocketshirt pocket, right over his heart. I'm sure he died carrying it. I never got to properly mourn him, as only brothers went to his funeral. Nancy Coogan
Peggy I remember was a vulnerable young woman, searching and finding her savior, but made to feel as though she wasn't good enough by none other than ST. Until a few days ago I had an album that I treasured her memory with... it is time for me to let go.
Nancy Timmons - I remember the visits with her at Hahnemann Hospital. No one should suffer alone. I tried to visit as often as I could after work before heading back to the commune. I also remember bringing her strawberries. She always made me feel like she valued those Strawberries. She had told me she was hungry and when I asked her what she wanted she asked for the strawberries. Sometimes I wonder if she was able to eat them because I know that chemo effects you, but I'm sure she was able to taste them in her dreams and I picture her at this moment savoring more and having plenty to share with us.
Alice Devini was my roommate in New York City for a very brief time and then she "left" fellowship. I remember she spoke several languages. I remember I being so impressed with her that I called her and asked her to come back, then I remember learning she had cancer. I tried to call her regularly. I recall the last few conversations I couldn't understand a word she said; probably the pain medicine. One day I remember Pat Whipple (sp?) coming to see me specifically. I was amazed that she sought me out, I had much respect for her and at the time considered myself unworthy of her beckoning. Pat wanted to personally tell me that Alice went to be with Jesus. I remember thanking her for telling me and then walking around New York City for hours wondering why God didn't just heal her. I couldn't understand why he chose to take her rather than to heal her. He is the one with the power to do either. (I've grown since then and know that one may never know why God decides such things.)
Dawn Bennet was a person I was extremely close to. We spent time together as roommates, witnessed, laughed, cryed, prayed, sang, etc. together. I remember once when I still lived in Bayonne, NJ I called Gina Zilliolli to see how Gina was. I wanted to "show off" the fact that I had married and God blessed me with a son. Just sort of an in your face kind of attitude I had...see you can prosper outside of COBU...when Gina shared with me that Dawn had cancer. My heart fell to the floor. So much for "showing off" God humbled me real quick. I sought to find a way to get to see Dawn. God provided a way when I found out about a "sisters" meeting in NJ. I was able to talk to Dawn for a few moments in private. I don't remember what was said, I do remember the same bright smile and there was kindness between us. I called the fellowship and spoke to Barb McCrae a few weeks later and begged them to be sure to get her the best care she could get. (I had very little faith that was happening.) I was assured that she was seeing good Doctors. Again, who can question God's reasoning.....I learned that she has gone to be with him.
While I look forward to seeing all of these people again as well as my mother and many others unknown by you, I must say I understand why Paul said that marriage makes serving God more stressful because I certainly am willing to wait until my own son grows up. I hope that he wills me to live to see my own son get old.
