13 Facts About Hugh O'Neil

Hugh Patrick O'Neil was a politician in Ontario, Canada.

Hugh O'Neil was a Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1975 to 1995, and served as a cabinet minister in the government of David Peterson.

Hugh O'Neil was married to Donna Grace and they raised two children, David and Catherine.

Hugh O'Neil was elected to the Ontario legislature in the 1975 provincial election, defeating the Progressive Conservative candidate by 659 votes in the eastern Ontario riding of Quinte.

Hugh O'Neil was re-elected by a much greater margin in the 1977 provincial election, and in the elections of 1981,1985,1987, and 1990.

The Liberals under David Peterson formed a minority government following the 1985 election, and O'Neil was appointed as Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology on June 26,1985.

In 1987, Hugh O'Neil was named Minister of Tourism and Recreation.

Hugh O'Neil became Minister of Culture and Communications on June 5,1990.

Hugh O'Neil was re-elected and served as his party's critic for Tourism and Recreation for the entirety of the next parliament, and did not run for re-election in 1995, choosing instead to retire from politics and return to a business career in real estate.

Hugh O'Neil spent much of his spare time volunteering for community organizations and spent time as Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Armed Forces 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron at CFB Trenton.

Hugh O'Neil was Honorary Chair of Loyalist College Foundation Board of Directors and several other groups.

Hugh O'Neil spearheaded the campaign beginning in 2010 to create the memorial and was a key member of the memorial committee.

Hugh O'Neil died in Trenton, Ontario, on September 14,2015, at the age of 79.