NORTH COAST RACING CHAMPION O’NEILL MOURNED
The racing community is in mourning after the sudden loss of North Coast businessman and speedway champion Paul O’Neill.
Tributes have been pouring in for the Lismore Speedway “legend” described as an “absolute gentleman and champion racer”, who was “one of the most genuine people you’d ever meet”. Mr O’Neill died aged 64. He has been remembered as a kind and loving man, who was a fierce advocate for his hometown of Lismore.
Mr O’Neill provided support and sponsorship to the Speedway and other causes via his Lismore Nissan automotive dealership.
Daughter Victoria O’Neill said on behalf of family: “Dad was the most loving father anyone could ask for.”
“His passion for Lismore, local businesses and its community was like no other and he always thought of others before himself,” she said.
“This is a trait I hold dearly and close to my heart as we mourn at this time.”
She said “Dad was our hero” and her mother Wendy’s courage at the sad time was “like no other”.
She said Mr O’Neill was the “father of Paul and myself, soon to be pop to Paul and wife Molly’s baby, and the best husband and best friend of my beautiful Mum”.
“Wendy, Paul, Molly, Nicholas and myself will miss him dearly,” she said.
Nephew Nicholas Flanagan wrote: “Paul was my uncle but a father figure to me, who introduced me to my lifelong passion of speedway.”
“We travelled everywhere to watch speedway together and he encouraged me into my speedway commentating roles at Lismore and Grafton speedways,” he said.
“Paul was a two time Grand National Sedan Champion and featured prominently in the USA vs. Australian test matches at Liverpool and Lismore speedways. He was kind, generous and a loving man and I will greatly miss him.”
Lismore Speedway promoter Mick Sauer said racing was in Mr O’Neill’s blood as a driver, sponsor and supporter.
“Between his car dealership and the speedway that was just his life,” Mr Sauer said.
“He’d go over to the (Lismore) Showgrounds and just sit there and look at the track on his day off – he just loved it.”
“His passion for Lismore, local businesses and its community was like no other and he always thought of others before himself
Victoria O’Neill Paul’s daughter