Hugh O’Neil. (Photo: submitted
)Tears and laughter filled the provincial legislature at Queens Park in Toronto Wednesday morning.
The occasion was a tribute to the man affectionately known as “Mr. Quinte,” the late Hugh O’Neil.
O’Neil passed away last September, and had served as the Liberal member for the former Quinte riding for 20 years, from 1975 to 1995.
He served as a cabinet minister in various portfolios.
Hugh O’Neil also served with countless organizations and committees locally, and even after retirement worked with the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Ontario Arts Council.
In this area recently, he was instrumental in bringing the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial to fruition.
In the legislature today, Progressive Conservative MPP for Prince Edward Hastings, Todd Smith, spoke first.
Smith said O’Neil was a man who rose above petty partisan politics and was respected by all, both in his community, and at Queens Park.
The MPP went on to say that although “Hugh would work with anyone, no matter what political stripe, to get things done, he was always a Liberal, first and last.” Smith told of attending events with Hugh and after he would speak he would always hear O’Neil’s baritone telling him, “nice job MPP Smith, not too bad for a Tory!”
Smith finished by saying O’Neil was a shining example of what a politician should be, calling him a “touchstone for what an aspiring politician should be.”
Jennifer French, NDP member from Oshawa, spoke next. She said O’Neil showed that a good politician need not be driven by selfishness, but by selflessness.
She said that to “Hugh O’Neil, community service was a calling, a way of life,” and that he dedicated himself to bettering the lives of people in Quinte, which she described as a “beautiful area.”
Speaking last was the Liberal Member for Northumberland Quinte West, Lou Rinaldi. MPP Rinaldi said it was a “bittersweet occasion” to pay tribute to such a great man, a man he considered a friend.
Rinaldi said he often called Hugh to ask for advice which was invaluable to him, whether the issue was local or provincial in nature.
However, Rinaldi said O’Neil would call him just as often, mostly beginning the conversation with “what the hell are you doing, Rinaldi?” The MPP said Hugh wasted no time setting him straight.
Mr. Rinaldi’s voice cracked, and he had to pause as he told of him being the last person, outside of Mr. O’Neil’s wife Donna, to speak to Hugh before he died.
The discussion was about saving Trenton Memorial Hospital. O’Neil had attended a rally in support of TMH just before he passed away.
MPP Rinaldi said “Hugh worked tirelessly to make life better for people, especially for the average citizen.”
He recalled how in 1979, O’Neil was leading the way for pension reform in Ontario, something that the government even now is concerned with.
Rinaldi finished by calling O’Neil a special man, a great friend, and a mentor. He thanked the O’Neil family for sharing him with the community.
There was a standing ovation at the end of the ceremony.
The gallery was packed with the family, friends, and colleagues of O’Neil. The City of Quinte West had filled a bus with people to witness the tribute.
Local politicians attending included the Mayor of Quinte West Jim Harrison, and former Mayor John Williams, prominent Trenton business people Eben James Sr. and Eben James Jr. were also on hand.
Click below to listen to the entire tribute.
