Huge crowd farewells a champion

It was a fitting tribute to a champion both on and off the track.

Over one thousand people gathered on the Lismore Speedway infield and in the grandstands on Wednesday, March 20, to pay their respects and say their final farewell to the late, great Paul O'Neill, 64, who passed away on March 12.

The funeral service attracted people from near and far, serving as testimony and example of the high esteem Paul O'Neill was held by so many not only in speedway, but also the business world.

It was a solemn day and a day of celebration, honouring the life of a man who was best described in the Jimmy Barnes song "Working Class Man" which played out as the hearse, at the conclusion of the service, took a final, slow lap around the Lismore circuit where Paul raced to many great victories.

He was one of the best to come out of Lismore in an outstanding career that started in the mid-seventies driving a very competitive FC Holden and later highlighted with two Australian Grand National Sedan Championships.

Paul was a husband, father, guiding light to many and successful businessman in the City of Lismore.

The track's big screen presentation of Paul's outstanding racing career which captured some of his greatest achievements at Lismore Speedway and Sydney's Liverpool City Raceway, accompanied by Tina Turner's smash hit "Simply the Best," said it all about Paul, the highly professional speedway competitor.

Paul and his devoted wife Wendy raised two children, Victoria and Paul Junior. They delivered eulogies in a wonderful tribute greeted with applause which gave ample evidence of the great respect Paul was accorded by so many people.

There were representatives on hand from the automotive industry as Paul's highly successful Lismore Nissan dealership was the success story of Paul O'Neill's business life.

Lismore Nissan won the Elite Award eleven consecutive years after setting the benchmark standards for sales and service.

His company supported football in the Lismore area denoted via Paul's keen following of the Marist Brothers Lismore Rams, well represented on the day at the funeral service.

This was a very special day that best summed up the love, admiration and incredible high regard for the late, great Paul O'Neill.

RIP Paul O'Neill (March 25, 1959 - March 12, 2024).