James Bruce O’Neil, 87, passed away on August 21, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable collection of family, friends, stories, and adventures.

Known as Jim to some and Bruce to others, he grew up in Melrose, Massachusetts, as an only child. After high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps, and being a Marine remained an important part of his identity throughout his life. He was immensely proud of his service and rarely missed an opportunity to share a story from those days.

After returning home, Jim attended Suffolk University and began a professional life that reflected his curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit. He worked in insurance before venturing into business for himself. He became involved in the emerging aerobics movement and founded Dancin’ Fitness, embracing an industry that was just beginning to take off. He later returned to the insurance industry before beginning a career in association management. He also owned and managed several real estate properties over the years.

Jim married Joanne Barbara (Greaves) O’Neil, and together they shared more than five decades of marriage, raised their family, and built a life filled with family, friends, and plenty of stories.

Jim had friends from nearly every chapter of his 87 years: childhood friends, Marine friends, professional friends, tennis friends, and people he met through the many interests he pursued along the way.

Tennis was one of the great constants of his life. He played for decades and built lasting friendships both on and off the court. His love of the sport and the community surrounding it remained with him well into his later years.

After Joanne passed away, Jim began a new chapter. He embraced his independence, enjoyed his bachelorhood, continued making new friends, and filled his time with the things that interested him — and there were many.

He loved history, museums of nearly every kind, Laudholm Farm, lectures, and learning about seemingly anything that caught his attention. He traveled throughout Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire in pursuit of something interesting to see, hear or learn. His curiosity never retired. Neither did his sense of humor.

Jim could usually be counted on for a joke — sometimes one of questionable taste — an unexpected observation or a story from one of the many chapters of his life.

He lived on his own terms: independent, curious, irreverent and always interested in what might come next.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Kate Politano, and her husband, Frank; grandchildren AJ and Gabby Politano; his son, David O’Neil, and his wife, Samantha; and grandchildren Griffin, Willet and Cameron O’Neil.

He also leaves behind an extraordinary circle of friends gathered over a lifetime — people from different decades, different places, and different parts of his life who helped make those 87 years so full.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim’s life on October 18, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the York Tennis Club, a fitting place to remember a man who found friendship and community on the tennis court for so many years.

Come with a story.

Chances are, he gave you one.