Fr. Lloyd O’Neill, who was well-loved by many people and was a priest at Immaculate Conception Church in Truro from 1983 to 1990, passed away suddenly on Monday in Halifax.
Immaculate Conception parishioners fondly recall the friendly priest who left a special mark on many people’s lives.
“He had a fantastic personality and he was always there for you,” Truro’s Mary Gillis, who estimates knowing Fr. Lloyd for about 30 years, told the Truro Daily News.
“You could hear a pin drop when he spoke … he had a real personal touch and was an awesome person. He was a giant of a man and a saint.”
Bible Hill’s Rose Salmons, another member of Immaculate Conception Church, told this paper she was touched when someone told her that Fr. Lloyd was so kind to those who were hurting.
“I know he was especially kind to women who suffered violence,” said Salmons.
Fr. Dariusz Miskowicz, who is now a priest at Immaculate Conception, said he met Fr. Lloyd “a couple” of years ago.
“We were quite shocked that (his death) happened so quickly. He was an active priest … and had a good sense of humour. He was good to people.”
An obituary posted on the Dartmouth Funeral Home Ltd. website, said Fr. Lloyd was born in Antigonish in 1939 and was ordained as a priest in 1965. He led several parishes throughout his career in the ministry and retired in 2005. However, he then served in ministry part time until 2013. In addition, he was a well-loved chaplain with the Halifax police. The police station lowered its flag to half-mast upon hearing of Fr. Lloyd’s death this week.
A funeral service for the priest was held in Halifax on Friday.
Twitter: tdnMonique
