Brian O'Neill Sr., 41, fund-raiser

Brian M. O'Neill Sr., 41, of Southampton, a devoted family man, Philadelphia sports enthusiast, and fund-raiser, died Thursday in a traffic accident that remained under investigation in Hamilton Township, Monroe County.

Mr. O'Neill worked for 11 years at Cabrun Ink Products Corp. in Philadelphia. He previously had worked nine years at Fast Forms Plus, a family print shop.

"Brian was sweet; he just wanted to help everybody. He was very easy to love," said his uncle George D. Johnson of Ambler.

After a close friend, Chic Kelly, was left a quadriplegic while playing college ice hockey in 1988, Mr. O'Neill helped organize fund-raisers through the Friends and Family of Chic Kelly Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life of victims of spinal-cord injuries. Mr. O'Neill also volunteered for the Nick DiMaria Foundation, established in the name of his late father-in-law to support local charities.

In 2005, as the Eagles were set to play in the Super Bowl, Mr. O'Neill and Kelly fervently tried to score tickets, flights, and a hotel room for the game in Jacksonville, Fla. By luck, the pair ended up with box seats. This year, Mr. O'Neill and his wife, Susan, attended the Phillies' two-part World Series-winning Game 5.

Mr. O'Neill loved spending time with his family, coaching his sons' baseball and soccer teams, bike riding, vacationing at Sea Isle City, and cooking with his boys on Saturday mornings. He was an avid golfer with a single-digit handicap.

Relatives and friends recalled a loving, giving friend who was always ready to help.

Mr. O'Neill grew up in Abington and graduated from Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote. He played on the golf team and was All-Catholic all four years.

Mr. O'Neill is survived by his wife and their sons, Brian Jr., 8, and Patrick, 6; his parents, Gerald and Anne O'Neill of Abington; and brothers Jerry of Churchville, and Drew of Lafayette Hill.

A viewing will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. tomorrow, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, Second Street Pike and Knowles Avenue, Southampton.