Age 28. 28 Decatur Street, North Cambridge (Cambridge), MA. Born 10/31/1914, in Cambridge. Died of burns (death certificate). Foreman at Simplex Wire & Cable Co., of Cambridge. Wed coworker Miss Claudia Nadeau, age 21, at 7 o'clock the same Saturday evening at Our Lady of Pity Church, North Cambridge, "...in his blue marriage suit" (The Boston Post, 11/30/1942). Was reported as, "...burned alive on his wedding night" (The Boston Post, 11/30/1942). Also present his 19-year-old sister Miss Anna Rita "Sally" O'Neil, maid of honor, and last-minute substitute best man and coworker John F. Doyle, age 25, of Cambridge, both dead. Foursome were seated at a small table in the main dining room at the entrance to the New Lounge passageway. Was to move with his bride into a new apartment at 25 Lee Street, Cambridge, the same night. The Boston Post, 12/05/1942: "When his body was first located all that could be found was $3.65, but later his wallet was discovered at the United States Marine Hospital...with $50 in it, his birth certificate and his marriage license" (note: rescuers sometimes placed stray personal belongings with the nearest available body). Bridal couple was the subject of the last-ever photo made at the club, by roving photographer Doris "Lynne" Andrews, age 24 (Born 6/09/1918. Died on 9/19/1945, pulmonary tuberculosis, age 27), less than 45 minutes before the start of the blaze (image shown here). Was raised in Cambridge. Was the second-oldest of nine siblings. His charred remains at the scene were vividly described by acquaintance and fire responder Rev. Thomas Tierney, of Cambridge, in a March 1948 wire service interview (quote): "His entire face was burned away, but I knew who he was from the back of his neck" (UP wire article, 3/20/1948). Surname (with his bride) was misspelled "O'Neill" (with two "l"s) on their death certificates and on the final official November 1943 Boston Committee on Public Safety list of casualties. Parents Mr. and Mrs. John and Helen (Donaghue) O'Neil, same address. "Separated in death since the disaster, O'Neil and his bride were brought together once more following the church services when their funeral corteges reached St. John's Cemetery" (Boston Daily Record, 12/02/1942). Burial with his new wife at North Cambridge Catholic Cemetery (also known as "St. John's Cemetery"), Cambridge. Middle name Francis.

‍