![]() Notifications of the restraining order were sent by fax to Bethel police at 2:52 p.m. ![]() “He would have liked that.But it remains unclear whether Bethel police investigated if Lester Jones turned in any firearms within 24 hours as outlined in the court order and required by state law. “I’d like to do it when we can all get together,” she said. She’s waiting until it’s safe for friends and loved ones to gather in person to celebrate his life. “If they were building a trail, he was probably there.”įrances O’Neill said she has not yet planned a memorial service for her husband due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “He worked with people from all around the region,” his wife said. In addition to helping lead Bethel Land Trust’s success over the years, O’Neill worked on out-of-town projects and initiatives like the creation of the Ives Trail in Danbury. The efforts of O’Neill and others involved were successful, as the 72-acre property off Plumtrees Road was acquired by the town in 2013 and designated protected open space. “I watched him work tirelessly behind the scenes, in front of the scenes, across aisles - always gentlemanly, kind, positive, passionate to have Bethel preserve that land,” Joiner said. Joiner said O’Neill’s “knowledge, hard work and passion were at the forefront” of the movement, which resulted in the golf course proposal’s defeat in a June 2000 referendum.įollowing the Terre Haute matter, O’Neill helped ensure the protection of the present-day Franc Nature Preserve. He was a force and character, and had such a passion.” “I met a lot of people through that movement to preserve Terre Haute, and John was one of them. “When I got involved, I had lived in town for a few years and never heard of the land trust or John,” she said. “He got excited about that - and it was a big job.” Other projectsīefore the boardwalk, O’Neill had been involved in the preservation of Terre Haute - a more-than-600-acre property on the Bethel-Danbury border, which was being considered for a golf course in 19.īethel resident Judith Joiner said she met O’Neill while advocating for the preservation of the property. “He enjoyed building the boardwalk,” she said. ![]() Kulla recalled O’Neill’s enthusiasm for the project, which she said took at least two years to complete. “Because of that alternating wet and dry, you get unusual plants.” “The boardwalk is in an area that’s sometimes wet and sometimes dry - an interesting area botanically,” Kulla said. The boardwalk is a segment of Bethel’s Enchanted Trail - a path that crosses the town from northwest to southeast, passing through several Bethel Land Trust properties and public land. ![]() “It was built in sections and then hauled over to where the boardwalk is.” “It was mostly built in our driveway,” she said. Of all the things he accomplished over the years, Frances O’Neill said her husband’s proudest work was the boardwalk off Walnut Hill Road. He loved to get out in the woods and hike around - and he really knew the land. “One of the things he said more than once was, ‘Once something is built up, it never goes back to being wild,’” Kulla said. “He handed off his role as treasurer just two or three months before he died.”īethel Land Trust’s current treasurer, Mary Ann Kulla, said she will remember O’Neill for his dedication and faithfulness to the organization - for which, she said, he had a “long-term view.” “From day one, he was always an officer of some sort,” Frances O’Neill said. Over the course of more than 40 years, O’Neill served the trust in various capacities - including as president, treasurer and a member of its board of directors. This includes 19 sanctuaries and 11 recreational and public places, according to the trust’s website. Since its founding in 1977, more than 250 acres of land have fallen under the protection of the land trust.
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