In Loving Memory: Patrick S. O’Neale, P.E.
It is with a heavy heart that we note the passing of our dear friend and colleague Patrick O’Neale.
Patrick joined Tata & Howard, Inc. in April 2000 as a Project Manager. He served as Manager for the Lakeville office where he was instrumental in growing business in the southeast region of Massachusetts. He was promoted to Associate in 2003 and Vice President in 2006. Patrick was appointed to the T&H Board of Directors in 2008 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2017.
During his tenure, Patrick held various management positions including leading the Quality Control and Quality Assurance Team. Patrick dedicated his professional life to client service. He was an excellent engineer, mastering the technical side of engineering, as well as becoming a role model for client service. He spent many evenings solving problems, assisting clients, and attending countless meetings to advance the development and protection of water supply and water infrastructure in Massachusetts.
He was instrumental in helping the Town of Falmouth with their Long Pond Water Treatment Plant, which went online in 2017. For the work done by Patrick and the team at Tata & Howard, Inc. the plant was recognized with a 2018 Silver Engineering Excellence Award for engineering services by The American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts (ACEC/MA).
Patrick was also instrumental in the formation of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water District which includes water supply sources operated by the towns of Fairhaven, Marion, and Mattapoisett, and also serves the Town of Rochester. Rather than constructing several treatment facilities for the eight wells, the towns teamed to construct a single advanced water treatment facility saving the towns approximately $5 million by building the plant jointly – a model for how regionalization can be successful.
Patrick was also a very active member of several water works organizations in Massachusetts and was well regarded among his peers. He served on Mass Water Works Associations’ Board of Directors, having been elected in 2015 and advancing to President in 2019. Patrick was also involved on the Program Committee for Mass Water Works, serving as co-chair for several years. He was chair of the Vendor Relations Committee for Plymouth County Waterworks Association and was a frequent presenter on water-related topics at association meetings. He was a recipient of Plymouth County Waterworks Associations’ David L. Regan Associate Member Award in 2006 for his outstanding service to the water works profession.
Known as Grandad, Patrick loved spending time with his family, especially his three grandsons who were the love of his life.
Patrick will be greatly missed, but his drive, pursuit of excellence and dedication to client service will live on at T&H and provide inspiration for future generations of engineers.