I am deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of my friend, Ed O'Neill, an extremely kind and generous man and a truly wonderful clown to watch and to learn from. I only wish that I'd had the chance to talk with him one more time, to really thank him for all the help and guidance that he's given me through the last 10 years.
If anyone out there has photos of Ed that they'd like to share, please send them to me at cashincomedy@yahoo.com.
From the Home News Tribune Online
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Edmund J. O'Neill Jr., 66, passed away Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007, at Raritan Bay Medical Center, Perth Amboy.
Born in Bayonne, he had resided in Parlin for the past 20 years. Before his retirement in 1997 he was employed as a professional photographer with Van Cleff and Arpels in New York City for 35 years. Edmund was also a self-employed magician and clown appearing for over 30 years professionally, known as "Otto T. Clown" and the "Amazing Ed." He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Circus Model Builders Association, Circus Fans of America and Circus Historians. Mr. O'Neill served in the Air Force in the Vietnam War.
Funeral services will be held at 8:45 a.m. Thursday at the Carmen F. Spezzi Funeral Home, 15 Cherry Lane, Parlin, followed by a 9:30 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart R.C. Church in South Amboy, with burial to follow at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, East Brunswick. Calling hours at the funeral home will be 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. on Wednesday. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Ed's name be made to the Sayreville Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 9, Sayreville, NJ 08872.
