Richard O'Neill. Photo courtesy of the South Town Star.

National Association of Social Workers member Richard O’Neill ran Oak Lawn Family Services, an Illinois agency that helps individuals, couples and families through tough times in life.

However O’Neill, 81, who died Sept. 1 after a long illness, always brought sensitivity and humor to his job, according to this obituary in the South Town Star.

“Dick was very caring and very intelligent. Dick was my mentor,” said Jim Craig, who worked with O’Neill to help Oak Lawn residents left homeless by a 1967 tornado. “He could work with anybody.”

O’Neill is survived by his wife Doris, five children, six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Our sympathies to his family.