George O'Neil

(Member of Social Events Sub Group)

I was born in Sunderland in 1930 but moved South with my family, returning back North to a place called  Penshaw in County Durham in 1939

When I left school, I worked with my father as a shoe repairer, but aged 18, I joined the R.A.F. for 5 years. Whilst I was stationed at R.A.F. Barnham, I met my wife Barbara through a blind date. I served 2½ years in Malta and after returning to England to be demobbed, I moved back to Penshaw and for a short while continued shoe repairing but came to Bury St Edmunds to get married. Barbara and I were married in 1954 and have spent 55 happy years together, here in Bury.

I worked at E. Pordage & Co, Fruit & Vegetable Merchants for 32 years. Then for my remaining working days, I went to W. Vintens and retired from there in 1995. I was a school governor at St Louis Middle School in Bury St Edmunds for 9 years.

In 1954, I became a member of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, a Friendly Society, which as years progressed, I took a very full, active part in. I have been a Lodge Secretary for 7 different lodges and was a Provincial Grand Master of our district as well as President of the East Anglian Group Conference. I am still very much involved with my Oddfellows work. I served as District Trustee for 36 years and I am still a Lodge Trustee.

Barbara and I have 4 children and 6 grandchildren and we are very fortunate to have most of them living locally.

In December 2003, I went into West Suffolk Hospital with Angina and in October 2004 I had a triple by-pass at Papworth. I was told about “Upbeat” at West Suffolk Hospital and since I started at the sessions, I have never looked back.

I enjoy gardening and I am still able to do my own, including the digging! I also like doing jigsaw puzzles.

Being directed to “Upbeat” by the hospital was a very positive thing. The number of people you meet keeps you going and many of them have become very good friends.