MANCHESTER, NH – It was a family affair at Manchester Police Headquarters recently, as the extended O’Neil family got together to honor retired bail commissioner Denis “Denny” O’Neil.
The bail commissioners room was dedicated to Commissioner O’Neil back in April of 2016. Unfortunately, various circumstances prevented the family from embarking on a field trip in the spring, so they waited until they could get everyone together on Dec. 30, to celebrate the commissioner’s 45 years of service.
Alderman-at-Large Daniel O’Neil accompanied his Uncle Denis, 85, as well as many other family members as the retiring Commissioner was able to show the room to his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Commissioner O’Neil was extremely proud of the fact he worked at the “old” police station on Chestnut Street, which closed in 1978, before working at the “new” police station, which was built on the same street in the same year. Of course, the “newest” police headquarters opened in 2012, so that means Commissioner O’Neil worked in three different facilities under eight different chiefs of police.
He started in 1971 under Chief John A. Stips (1969-1974) and retired under Chief Nick Willard in 2016.
In between he worked under the following administrations:
Chief Thomas J. King (1975-1990)
Chief Louis J. Craig (1990-1994)
Chief Peter R. Favreau (1994-1996)
Chief Mark L. Driscoll (1996-2003)
Chief John A. Jaskolka (2003-2008)
Chief David J. Mara (2008-2015)
The plaque reads, “This room is dedicated in the Honor of Denis “Denny” O’Neil for 45 years of exceptional service as a bail commissioner and trusted friend, April 16, 2016, Chief Enoch ‘Nick’ Willard.”
