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Dapper O'Neil

April 13, 2024

Albert Leo "Dapper" O'Neil (April 12, 1920 – December 19, 2007) was an American politician who served as a socially conservative member of the Boston City Council for twenty-eight years.[1] Prior to joining the council, he served on the Boston Licensing Board and was an operative for the Mayor of Boston James Michael Curley.[1]

Dapper O'Neil
O'Neil, circa 1984-1987
President of the Boston City Council
In office
1992
Preceded byChristopher A. Iannella
Succeeded byThomas Menino
Boston City Councilor At-Large
In office
1971–1999
Preceded byLouise Day Hicks
Succeeded byMichael F. Flaherty
Personal details
Born(1920-04-12)April 12, 1920
Boston, Massachusetts
DiedDecember 19, 2007(2007-12-19) (aged 87)
Boston, Massachusetts
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materStaley School of the Spoken Word

Early years edit

O'Neil graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School in 1937,[2] and attended Suffolk University Law School, but left before graduating to serve in the United States Army during World War II.[1] After the war, he graduated from the Staley School of the Spoken Word with a degree in oratory. He worked with a railroad company and was then employed by the state housing board.[3]

In a 1978 interview, O'Neil explained that he got his nickname because his mother was very meticulous about how her children dressed, and where he grew up (the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston) "everybody had a nickname."[4]

Political career edit

From 1948 to 1961, O'Neil ran for office five times, three times for state representative and once each for City Council and School Committee, losing all five races. He then chauffeured for Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Endicott Peabody.[3] After Peabody was elected Governor of Massachusetts in November 1962, he considered appointing O'Neil as his patronage secretary;[5] however, O'Neil made public comments critical of the Massachusetts Democratic Party chairman, Gerard F. Doherty,[5] and the job went to a Worcester attorney, William J. Luby.[6] In October 1963, Peabody appointed O'Neil to the Boston Licensing Board.[7][8] In 1967, O'Neil ran for Mayor of Boston,[9] finishing eighth in the preliminary election with only 0.95% of the vote.[10]

Boston City Council edit

 
O'Neil (at left) with fellow councillor Maura Hennigan and Mayor Raymond Flynn (c. 1984–1987)

In January 1971, O'Neil was appointed to the Boston City Council after the resignation of Louise Day Hicks, who had been elected to the United States House of Representatives.[11] He was subsequently re-elected fourteen times, each term lasting two years.

While on the council, O'Neil thrice ran for Suffolk County Sheriff. He lost the Democratic nomination to Thomas Eisenstadt in 1974, Dennis J. Kearney in 1978, and Robert Rufo in 1986.

In 1992, he was elected Council President after the death of Christopher A. Iannella.[3]

In November 1999, O'Neil finished fifth (behind Francis Roache, Stephen J. Murphy, Peggy Davis-Mullen, Michael F. Flaherty) in an at-large race in which the top four make the council. In a story published in The Boston Globe after O'Neil's loss, Boston historian Thomas H. O'Connor wrote, "This is the last hurrah not merely for a man but for the politicking he represents." O'Connor went on to say that O'Neil's career endured "largely through the kinds of loyalties he built up over thirty years, from people for whom he'd done favors, and they'd never forget him, and they'd talk about him to their relatives. He built a political career on a system of local patronage."

Political views edit

O'Neil was a longtime supporter of the right to bear arms; he was known to carry a .38 handgun, which he drew at least twice to capture criminals, and he stated in a 1976 council meeting, "I'm an excellent shot. I'll protect people against anyone who comes through that door."[12]

In January 1999, O'Neil confirmed he was a supporter of the Council of Conservative Citizens, a white supremacist group, leading to a heated exchange with fellow councillor Gareth R. Saunders.[13][14]

Personal life edit

In 1995, Boston newspapers reported that harassment complaints had been filed against O'Neil by a female city worker and a female college student; O'Neil later counter-sued the complainants, claiming that he had been slandered.[15][16]

A 1984 recording by O'Neil of the song "The Irish Belly Dancer" can be found online.[17][18] In 1996, he won $50,000 from a Massachusetts Lottery scratch ticket.[19]

O'Neil never married; he had a girlfriend, Helen T. Skrzowski, for 56 years.[20] After treatment for prostate cancer in 1992 and 1993, O'Neil had cancer surgery in January 1998.[21] As of 1997, he was legally blind.[22] O'Neil died in West Roxbury on December 19, 2007—his funeral was held at St. Theresa of Avila Church in West Roxbury.[1] He is buried in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.[20]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Long, Tom; Slack, Donovan; Ellement, John R. (December 19, 2007). . Boston.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2008. Retrieved December 19, 2007.
  2. ^ "At-large, district candidates in the Boston City Council election City Council At-Large". The Boston Globe. November 2, 1997. p. 290. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c Marquard, Bryan (December 20, 2007). "'Dapper' O'Neil, champion of personal politics, dies at 87". The Boston Globe. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  4. ^ Dapper O'Neil, Gary Griffith (September 7, 1978). Dapper O'Neil interview. Boston: Boston TV News Digital Library. Event occurs at 17:50. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Peabody Backer Blasts Doherty, Patronage Pact". The Boston Globe. December 18, 1962. p. 2. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Name Luby Jobs Boss For Peabody". The Boston Globe. December 20, 1962. p. 48. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Peabody Aide's O.K. Stalled". The Boston Globe. October 4, 1963. p. 14. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Keblinsky, Joseph A. (November 24, 1963). "Peabody City Appointees Stir Ruckus in Jobs". The Boston Globe. p. A4. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Noonan, Cornelius (June 9, 1967). "Dapper O'Neil Announces For Mayor of Boston". The Boston Globe. p. 38. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Annual Report of the Election Department. Boston [Election Dept.] 1968. p. 46.
  11. ^ Jordan, Robert A. (January 26, 1971). "O'Neil is seated by City Council; Atkins balks at rule on succession". The Boston Globe. p. 24. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Anderson, Peter (September 26, 1991). "Forever Dapper; O'Neil isn't just a 'rogue' politician, he's part of history". The Boston Globe. pp. 73, 76, 77. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Flint, Anthony (January 15, 1999). "O'Neil affirms support for pro-white group". The Boston Globe. p. B.3. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Ebbert, Stephanie (January 28, 1999). "O'Neil angered by questions on his support for group". The Boston Globe. p. B.3. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Walker, Adrian (February 16, 1995). "Harassment complaint slaps O'Neil". The Boston Globe. pp. 29, 41. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Geeta, Anand (January 3, 1996). "O'Neil sues over harass complaints". The Boston Globe. p. 16. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ 'THE IRISH BELLY DANCER' by 'DAPPER' O'NEIL - A BOSTON LEGEND. Rik Tinory. February 28, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2018 – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  18. ^ Richman, Alan (June 14, 1984). "Dapper O'Neil on the record". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Chacón, Richard (October 25, 1996). "Dapper scratches $50,000 ticket". The Boston Globe. p. D13. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ a b Crimaldi, Laura (December 25, 2007). "The Dap truly was a legend". Boston Herald. Retrieved March 7, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ Rakowsky, Judy (January 27, 1998). "O'Neil in stable condition after cancer surgery". The Boston Globe. p. B.2. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ Geeta, Anand (September 25, 1997). "Last chapter for Dapper? Weak showing prompts debate on his chances". The Boston Globe. p. B.4. Retrieved July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.

Further reading edit

  • Carr, Howie (April 11, 2020). "Dapper O'Neil was a man of his time". Boston Herald. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  • Derjue, Amy (December 20, 2007). "Dapper O'Neil Puts Globe and Herald On the Same Page". Boston.
  • English, Bella (February 25, 1995). "Dapper's guilty of bad taste". The Boston Globe. p. 17. Retrieved April 12, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  • Vennochi, Joan (November 5, 1999). "The things we shouldn't forget about Dapper". The Boston Globe – via Boston.com.
  • White, Diane (February 16, 1995). "When Dapper made me kiss him". The Boston Globe. p. 65. Retrieved April 12, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  • "Dapper O'Neil at Mapplethorpe exhibit". bostonlocaltv.org. August 1, 1990. (video)
Preceded by President of the Boston City Council
1992 		Succeeded by

April 13, 2024
dapper, neil, albert, dapper, neil, april, 1920, december, 2007, american, politician, served, socially, conservative, member, boston, city, council, twenty, eight, years, prior, joining, council, served, boston, licensing, board, operative, mayor, boston, jam. Albert Leo Dapper O Neil April 12 1920 December 19 2007 was an American politician who served as a socially conservative member of the Boston City Council for twenty eight years 1 Prior to joining the council he served on the Boston Licensing Board and was an operative for the Mayor of Boston James Michael Curley 1 Dapper O NeilO Neil circa 1984 1987President of the Boston City CouncilIn office 1992Preceded byChristopher A IannellaSucceeded byThomas MeninoBoston City Councilor At LargeIn office 1971 1999Preceded byLouise Day HicksSucceeded byMichael F FlahertyPersonal detailsBorn 1920 04 12 April 12 1920Boston MassachusettsDiedDecember 19 2007 2007 12 19 aged 87 Boston MassachusettsPolitical partyDemocraticAlma materStaley School of the Spoken Word Contents 1 Early years 2 Political career 2 1 Boston City Council 2 2 Political views 3 Personal life 4 References 5 Further readingEarly years editO Neil graduated from Roxbury Memorial High School in 1937 2 and attended Suffolk University Law School but left before graduating to serve in the United States Army during World War II 1 After the war he graduated from the Staley School of the Spoken Word with a degree in oratory He worked with a railroad company and was then employed by the state housing board 3 In a 1978 interview O Neil explained that he got his nickname because his mother was very meticulous about how her children dressed and where he grew up the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston everybody had a nickname 4 Political career editFrom 1948 to 1961 O Neil ran for office five times three times for state representative and once each for City Council and School Committee losing all five races He then chauffeured for Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Endicott Peabody 3 After Peabody was elected Governor of Massachusetts in November 1962 he considered appointing O Neil as his patronage secretary 5 however O Neil made public comments critical of the Massachusetts Democratic Party chairman Gerard F Doherty 5 and the job went to a Worcester attorney William J Luby 6 In October 1963 Peabody appointed O Neil to the Boston Licensing Board 7 8 In 1967 O Neil ran for Mayor of Boston 9 finishing eighth in the preliminary election with only 0 95 of the vote 10 Boston City Council edit nbsp O Neil at left with fellow councillor Maura Hennigan and Mayor Raymond Flynn c 1984 1987 In January 1971 O Neil was appointed to the Boston City Council after the resignation of Louise Day Hicks who had been elected to the United States House of Representatives 11 He was subsequently re elected fourteen times each term lasting two years While on the council O Neil thrice ran for Suffolk County Sheriff He lost the Democratic nomination to Thomas Eisenstadt in 1974 Dennis J Kearney in 1978 and Robert Rufo in 1986 In 1992 he was elected Council President after the death of Christopher A Iannella 3 In November 1999 O Neil finished fifth behind Francis Roache Stephen J Murphy Peggy Davis Mullen Michael F Flaherty in an at large race in which the top four make the council In a story published in The Boston Globe after O Neil s loss Boston historian Thomas H O Connor wrote This is the last hurrah not merely for a man but for the politicking he represents O Connor went on to say that O Neil s career endured largely through the kinds of loyalties he built up over thirty years from people for whom he d done favors and they d never forget him and they d talk about him to their relatives He built a political career on a system of local patronage Political views edit O Neil was a longtime supporter of the right to bear arms he was known to carry a 38 handgun which he drew at least twice to capture criminals and he stated in a 1976 council meeting I m an excellent shot I ll protect people against anyone who comes through that door 12 In January 1999 O Neil confirmed he was a supporter of the Council of Conservative Citizens a white supremacist group leading to a heated exchange with fellow councillor Gareth R Saunders 13 14 Personal life editIn 1995 Boston newspapers reported that harassment complaints had been filed against O Neil by a female city worker and a female college student O Neil later counter sued the complainants claiming that he had been slandered 15 16 A 1984 recording by O Neil of the song The Irish Belly Dancer can be found online 17 18 In 1996 he won 50 000 from a Massachusetts Lottery scratch ticket 19 O Neil never married he had a girlfriend Helen T Skrzowski for 56 years 20 After treatment for prostate cancer in 1992 and 1993 O Neil had cancer surgery in January 1998 21 As of 1997 he was legally blind 22 O Neil died in West Roxbury on December 19 2007 his funeral was held at St Theresa of Avila Church in West Roxbury 1 He is buried in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne 20 References edit a b c d Long Tom Slack Donovan Ellement John R December 19 2007 Dapper O Neil is dead at 87 Boston com Archived from the original on August 29 2008 Retrieved December 19 2007 At large district candidates in the Boston City Council election City Council At Large The Boston Globe November 2 1997 p 290 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com a b c Marquard Bryan December 20 2007 Dapper O Neil champion of personal politics dies at 87 The Boston Globe Retrieved May 31 2012 Dapper O Neil Gary Griffith September 7 1978 Dapper O Neil interview Boston Boston TV News Digital Library Event occurs at 17 50 Retrieved October 2 2017 a b Peabody Backer Blasts Doherty Patronage Pact The Boston Globe December 18 1962 p 2 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Name Luby Jobs Boss For Peabody The Boston Globe December 20 1962 p 48 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Peabody Aide s O K Stalled The Boston Globe October 4 1963 p 14 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Keblinsky Joseph A November 24 1963 Peabody City Appointees Stir Ruckus in Jobs The Boston Globe p A4 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Noonan Cornelius June 9 1967 Dapper O Neil Announces For Mayor of Boston The Boston Globe p 38 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Annual Report of the Election Department Boston Election Dept 1968 p 46 Jordan Robert A January 26 1971 O Neil is seated by City Council Atkins balks at rule on succession The Boston Globe p 24 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Anderson Peter September 26 1991 Forever Dapper O Neil isn t just a rogue politician he s part of history The Boston Globe pp 73 76 77 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Flint Anthony January 15 1999 O Neil affirms support for pro white group The Boston Globe p B 3 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Ebbert Stephanie January 28 1999 O Neil angered by questions on his support for group The Boston Globe p B 3 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Walker Adrian February 16 1995 Harassment complaint slaps O Neil The Boston Globe pp 29 41 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Geeta Anand January 3 1996 O Neil sues over harass complaints The Boston Globe p 16 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com THE IRISH BELLY DANCER by DAPPER O NEIL A BOSTON LEGEND Rik Tinory February 28 2015 Retrieved March 7 2018 via YouTube dead YouTube link Richman Alan June 14 1984 Dapper O Neil on the record The Boston Globe Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Chacon Richard October 25 1996 Dapper scratches 50 000 ticket The Boston Globe p D13 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com a b Crimaldi Laura December 25 2007 The Dap truly was a legend Boston Herald Retrieved March 7 2018 permanent dead link Rakowsky Judy January 27 1998 O Neil in stable condition after cancer surgery The Boston Globe p B 2 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Geeta Anand September 25 1997 Last chapter for Dapper Weak showing prompts debate on his chances The Boston Globe p B 4 Retrieved July 12 2023 via Newspapers com Further reading edit nbsp United States portal nbsp Politics portalCarr Howie April 11 2020 Dapper O Neil was a man of his time Boston Herald Retrieved April 12 2020 Derjue Amy December 20 2007 Dapper O Neil Puts Globe and Herald On the Same Page Boston English Bella February 25 1995 Dapper s guilty of bad taste The Boston Globe p 17 Retrieved April 12 2020 via newspapers com Vennochi Joan November 5 1999 The things we shouldn t forget about Dapper The Boston Globe via Boston com White Diane February 16 1995 When Dapper made me kiss him The Boston Globe p 65 Retrieved April 12 2020 via newspapers com Dapper O Neil at Mapplethorpe exhibit bostonlocaltv org August 1 1990 video Preceded byChristopher A Iannella President of the Boston City Council1992 Succeeded byThomas Menino Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dapper O 27Neil amp oldid 1215828686, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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