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May 26, 2016 | 44 pages
“Mr. Quinte” Hugh O’Neil honoured as stalwart arts backer By Erin Stewart Trenton – It was an evening to celebrate and honour one special man - Quinte West’s beloved long-time politician, community icon and volunteer, who earned himself the name of “Mr. Quinte,” Hugh O’Neil. Family, friends and dozens of others whom O’Neil impacted throughout his lifetime came together to honour O’Neil during the “Hugh’s Day” event, hosted by the Quinte Arts Council, at the National Air Force Museum on Tue. May 17. O’Neil’s wife Donna O’Neil said the evening was a wonderful tribute to her husband. “I’m feeling very honoured and very grateful to Carol Feeney and the Arts Council for proposing it and organizing it and making it such a special event,” said Donna. “I think he’d feel just like I do.” Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from Dinkel’s, Earl & Angelos, Boston Pizza, The Golden Valley Restaurant and The Boathouse. The evening also included a cash bar, displays, and musical entertainment by Duncan Cooper and Dan Bone. Carol Feeney, executive director of the Quinte Arts Council, said it was important to honour O’Neil, not only because of his large impact on the Quinte Arts Council but also because of his impact on arts and culture in the Quinte West community and province wide. “Hugh has been so involved, as is his wife Donna, in all aspects,” Feeney said. “With the (Quinte) Ballet School, The Quinte Symphony, Quinte Arts Council, he was on the
board of the Ontario Arts Council province wide.” Feeney said it was an emotional evening, but in an “absolutely good way.” “To have so many of Hugh’s friends and people that really care about him and were engaged with him in his lifetime, to come together for an evening like this is quite touching,” she said. Feeney said she is hoping “Hugh’s Day” is more than a one-time event. “We called it ‘Hugh’s Day’ for a reason, Hugh’s Day on a Tuesday, because I can see it growing into more than just an evening party,” she said. “There’s going to be a garden for him so maybe we can have Hugh’s Day there and then a cocktail after.” Hugh’s Day came just one day after Quinte West council approved the Hugh O’Neil Friendship Garden, which will now blossom next to the Trent Port Marina. The planning committee said fundraising efforts for the garden will begin shortly and they’re hoping to have shovels in the ground by the fall. Known as an educator, entrepreneur, community volunteer and true family man, O’Neil died in September 2015 at the age of 79 after spending years dedicated to improving the community. O’Neil was president of Trenton Kiwanis Club, director of the Quinte Arts Council, past chair of the Loyalist College Foundation, the Quinte Ballet School and RCAF Museum, and a strong Our TMH advocate, to name a few of his roles in the community. O’Neil was first elected to provincial poli-
Family, friends and people impacted by Hugh O’Neil throughout his lifetime came together to honour and remember O’Neil during the “Hugh’s Day” event, hosted by the Quinte Arts Council, at the National Air Force Museum on Tue. May 17. From left: Hugh’s daughter Cathy Mitchel, Quinte Arts Council Past Chair Dan Atkinson, Hugh’s son David O’Neil, executive director of the Quinte Arts Council Carol Feeney and Hugh’s wife Donna O’Neil. Photo by Erin Stewart
tics in 1975 and was appointed to Minister of Culture and Communications on June 5, 1990. In recognition of his contributions during more than 20 years of political life and in particular to honour his significant support to the arts both locally and provincially, the Quinte Provincial Liberal Association estab-
lished the Hugh P. O’Neil Bursary Fund. Each spring, the Quinte Arts Council administers these awards and they are two bursaries to students graduating from secondary schools in the Quinte riding that are proceeding to further their education in the arts and pursue the arts as a career.
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