Vale Des O’Neill

by admin on July 21, 2013

BQ director of finance will be missed by many BQ director of finance Des O’Neill died suddenly last week and a private family funeral was held on Friday (July 19).
Des had an existing medical condition.
BQ chairman Ron Chambers said it was an extremely sad loss for the Queensland bowls community.
“Des was a good man, the kindest man, softly spoken and with an exemplary record of service at district and state level,” Ron said.
“He treated others with the utmost respect and always contributed in a constructive way at meetings.
“He was a man of insight and honour.
“Des will be sadly missed by me and many others around Queensland.”
BQ CEO Keith Fullerton said Des’s sudden passing was a shock to all.
“Des was much more than a dedicated bowler and volunteer bowls administrator, he was a devoted family man,” Keith said.
“Our deepest sympathies are with Pat and their three children and five grandchildren.
“It has been a privilege to work with Des, he was a valued and respected member of the bowls community and the BQ board.”
Des has been involved with the sport of lawn bowls for 40 years, since he started playing in his mid-30s.
He had been a member of Ashgrove, Newmarket and Everton Park Bowls Clubs, with his first and last club being Ashgrove, since he lived nearby at the Gap in retirement.
Des travelled for many years around Queensland, as a commercial manager for Westpac bank.
Des was secretary of Brisbane District for more than 15 years, president of the Men’s Section and a board member before taking on the key director of finance role in 2012.
He received a Distinguished Service Medal in 2011 from Bowls Queensland and in 2000, an Australian Sports Medal from the Howard government for his services to lawn bowls.
Des was 75.