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Hall of Famers

Hall of Famer

John O'Neill

Inducted in 1966

Member Details

Date of Birth: 1877
Place of Birth: Ketch Harbour, Nova Scotia
Date of Passing: March 11, 1971
Sport: Rowing
Member Category: Athlete

Career Highlights

1904

Halifax Harbour Sculling Title

1905-1907

Middle States Regatta Singles Title

1908

U.S. Association Singles Title

1909

U.S. National Regatta Singles Title

Hall of Famer John O'Neill
Sport

Story

Though he did not begin competitive rowing until the age of 25, John O'Neill, was already an adept paddler; growing up on the eastern coast of Nova Scotia, O'Neill had to row across Ketch Harbour in order to run errands for his father as a young boy. It was here that one of the greatest scullers of the first decade of the 20th century got his start. As a young man, O'Neill served with the Canadian Special Service Force during the Second Boer War. Upon his return to Canada, he joined the St. Mary's rowing Club in Halifax just 'for fun'.  Within two years, he had established himself as the best of the local scullers, winning the championship of Halifax Harbour in 1904. Following several more victories around the Maritimes, his club sent him to compete in the Middle States Regatta at Philadelphia in 1905. O'Neill did not disappoint, and claimed the singles title. He repeated the feat in 1907 when the event was held in Springfield, Massachusetts, and continued to shine in 1908 with a victory in the U.S. Association Singles event. O'Neill's crowning achievement came in 1909 at the U.S. National Regatta on the Detroit River. In an extremely close race with New York’s Dorando Miller, O'Neill managed to pull ahead to cross the finish line, claiming the North American single scull title. Records are scarce, but O'Neill is believed to be the first Canadian to win this championship. Upon his return to Halifax, the 32-year-old sculling champion received a hero's welcome; he was pulled through the streets in a carriage and praised in a public address by the mayor. O'Neill retired from competition shortly thereafter but continued to row throughout the rest of his life. Even at the age of 89, he was reported to be a regular on the waters around Halifax harbour.