Paul O'Neill

[wickfam]

It was my good fortune to encounter one of my heroes, Paul O’Neill, 3 different times over my 17 years of travelling to see TSO live. And let me tell you he IS INDEED “all that”! He walked the talk, reflecting his positive lyrics to a “T”. The numerous heartfelt posthumous tributes speaking of his kindness and selfless generosity I can attest to. At each meeting  with Paul he gifted me with more than just his hopeful prose, which had become my life-guide over the past 30+ years.

*2001 Tampa/St. Pete in a small Florida theater I saw Paul standing in the lobby by himself taking it all in. I was starstruck, but gained the courage to offer thanks and tell him how much his words had meant to my survival. Overcome with emotion, I instinctively blurted out one of my favorite Savatage lines, “I am the way, I am the light, I am the dark inside the night…”
And Paul O’Neill took it from there, reciting the remaining lyrics to Believe at a very fast pace, “I hear your hopes, I feel your dreams, And in the dark I hear your screams. Don't turn away, Just take my hand, and when you make your final stand, I'll be right there I'll never leave, All I ask of you is Believe.“
Shock, awe & pure joy encompassed my spirit- Wow! Backstory - when I suddenly went blind in 1990 and was looking for inspiration the masterful “Streets” came upon and lifted my soul and now (with my vision restored) this creative mastermind was speaking these words directly to me. Believe I most certainly do!
I then shared the story of my 1500 mile cross-country trek to see the TSO hometown show and had already seen 5 shows over the 3-year touring period. Without a bit of hesitation, Paul walked over to the nearby merch stand, grabbed a hardcover Christmas Eve & Other Stories Book from the pile for sale at $50 each, opened the front cover and asked my name. He then wrote “To Ed- one more show and you’re in the band.” With astonishment, I reached for my wallet hoping I had the cash to pay for it. Then he said “It’s yours. See you at the next show…and THANK YOU.”
*2003 Palace of Auburn Hills in my homestate of Michigan, I was among the last to leave the venue because I wanted to soak everythingl up. I noticed Paul in the concourse with about 30 children surrounding him. The place was near empty & the autograph line gone, but what I observed was simply the best. Paul O’Neill was handing out $100 bills to each of the gathered throng saying “Have the best Christmas ever.” And they probably had no inkling who this kind gentleman was.
When a sobbing mother then told Paul that her husband was overseas serving in our military and she had brought their son to the show to brighten his holidays, Paul asked an associate for his checkbook and personally wrote a check to the woman. She broke down,  crying hysterically, while her young son looked on. I was amazed beyond belief and had to say something to Paul- he had just gifted complete strangers thousands of dollars! When I told him that was the nicest gesture I had ever witnessed he handed me the TSO tour shirt he was holding. Talk about touching as many lives as humanly possible!
*2007 Palace of Auburn Hills near Detroit Rock City once again.  I noticed Paul after the show and now felt comfortable enough to walk up and engage him.  I detailed my kidney transplant in 2000 and how Savatage & TSO music has fueled my continued survival on life’s journey. He looked me in the eye, reached into his pocket and handed me a 1889 Silver Dollar, which I will always treasure.
Now 29 shows in 9 different cities & 3 different states, I’m not “in the band”, but TSO is definitely a constant focal point of my life.  As a gift of life recipient with a second chance to live in life's bonus round, over the past 17 years I’ve strived to pay it forward everywhere and anywhere I possibly can. Encountering Paul I learned from his altruistic ways. What a sterling example of following the Golden Rule. “It's every gift that someone gives expecting nothing back. It's every kindness that we do - Each simple little act.”
Making the sacred & holy Christmas spirit last year-round by providing hope & inspiration to millions Paul O'Neill most certainly did.
“If you want to arrange it, this world you can change it if we could somehow make this Christmas thing last by helping a neighbor, or even a stranger. And to know who needs help, you need only just ask.”
“And so it's good that we remember just as soon as we've discovered that the things we do in life will always end up touching others.”
Thank you for sharing your wonderful life with us Paul.
Ed McArdle

Well, that did it. Now I'm crying... and kicking myself even harder for not taking the opportunity to meet him when I had the chance.

Thank you so much for sharing!