Patrick Henry O’Neill, a long-time resident of New Canaan, Connecticut, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on February 15, 2018. He was 102 years young. Born in Cordova, Alaska in 1915 to parents Harry Irenaeus O’Neill and Florence Leahy, Patrick grew up as the seventh of twelve children in a big Irish family. Early in life, Patrick found his calling in the mining industry, following in the footsteps of his grandfather who had been a part of the famous Alaska Klondike Gold Rush in 1897. Patrick was only 15 when he first started working in the Chititu Creek Mine, a small placer gold mine in Alaska. After graduating from high school at 16, he enrolled at the Alaska Agriculture College and School of Mines (now the University of Alaska Fairbanks) where he earned three degrees, including two in Mining Engineering. Patrick developed his strong work ethic by working in the mines during the summers to earn his tuition money. In recognition of Patrick’s unwavering commitment to the mining industry and the UAF School of Engineering, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus in 1971. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the institution in 1976 in recognition of his professional achievements. Finally, Patrick received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the UAF School of Mineral Industry in 1982. In the lead up to the Second World War, Patrick obtained his pilot’s license. From 1941-1945, he proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corp as a B-17 pilot and instructor, attaining the rank of major. His mission was to train many pilots and to test aircraft to insure safer deployments overseas. After the war ended, Patrick returned to mining in Fairbanks. His mining career took off when he worked for the U.S. Smelting, Refining, and Mining Company out of Fairbanks where he worked as an Exploration Engineer, and ascended through various leadership positions to become Dredge Superintendent. Working alongside many prominent Alaskan pioneers, Patrick was considered young for the job at the age of 33 but proved to be most capable. Patrick’s mining career soon took him to other continents. In 1953, he traveled to Colombia, South America as Chief Engineer for South American Gold and Platinum Company. Upon arriving at the work site, O’Neill was disturbed to find that working and housing conditions were primitive and completely inadequate for the 600 miners working in the main camp. He identified several social problems, including illiteracy, poverty-level wages, poor medical conditions, and lack of education and training as contributing to the company’s poor profitability. When the Company came under new management and appointed Patrick as Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, he made it a priority to improve the substandard work conditions and revitalized the company to profitability. The company later changed its name to International Mining Corporation. Under Patrick’s leadership as President, the Company went on to acquire other mining companies in Colombia, Bolivia, Mexico, Canada, Turkey, and the United States. As President, Patrick would go on to serve as President or Chairman of eight affiliated mining companies and on the boards of several major mining companies including The Fresnillo Company for 23 years, Zemex Corporation for 30 years, Placer Development, Moly Corp, Rosario Resources, and others. These companies developed and operated some of the western world’s greatest metal resources. As an outspoken advocate for corporate policies that struck the right balance between profitability, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship, Patrick became an industry leader in calling for measures to improve the health, education, training, and safety of employees. His Herculean measures to address employee social issues demonstrated how social responsibility contributed to profitability and greater mining efficiency. Patrick’s commitment to innovative social programs as part of mining operations helped revolutionize the way mines worked with their employees and communities throughout Latin America. His many lifetime contributions and achievements in the mining industry world-wide were honored with Patrick’s induction into the National Mining Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame in 2016. Most recently, the Alaska State Legislature issued a Proclamation in praise of Patrick’s remarkable achievements. While working at International Mining Corp, Patrick met the love of his life, Sandra Dorris in 1967. The couple was married for over 50 years and had two children, Erin and Kevin. In addition to the mining field, Patrick was passionate about being actively involved to make the world a better place. He was on the Board of the Joslin Diabetes Center for 25 years, including 15 years as Chairman. He spent 40 years as Councilor of the American Geographical Society and was a Director for 25 years of The Ireland-United States Council for Commerce and Industry. Patrick also served as the President of Igloo #4 of the Pioneers of Alaska and as the Chairman of The Arctic Institute of North America. Patrick’s commitment to service and life-long learning is further evident in his long-standing membership in several other professional organizations including the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (82 years) and the Explorer’s Club (61 years). He is also listed in “Who’s Who in Engineering” and “Who’s Who in America.” In addition to Patrick’s passion for service, he was a strong supporter of education and making a philanthropic difference. Patrick often credited his achievements in the mining business to his education at UAF. A life-long dream was realized in 2016 with the establishment of the Patrick H O’Neill Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company Scholarship at the University of Alaska to assist students interested in pursuing mining at the UAF College of Engineering and Mines. During his fifty years living in New Canaan, Patrick was an active member in the community. He was a member of the Darien Country Club, (50 years), Woodway Country Club (40 years), the Metropolitan Club of New York (26 years), the Wings Club, The Mining Club, the New Canaan Senior Men’s Club, and the Wild Geese. Patrick H. O’Neill embodied the virtues of a pioneer Alaskan: hard work, honesty, and patience. He had a quick and charming wit and was capable of entertaining guests and colleagues with tales of his incredibly interesting life. He loved poetry and was well known for his recitations of poems by Robert Service. He finally penned his memoirs, From Snowshoes to Wingtips, published by University of Alaska Press in 2007. Patrick had a remarkable international mining career and an amazing life filled with many adventures. He traveled to over 200 countries and explored the four corners of the world in all 7 continents, but even with everything that he accomplished, he will be most remembered by all who knew him as being one of the kindest, humblest, and most wonderful men who has ever lived. He treated everyone with respect, from presidents of countries to street sweepers, and never forgot that while he had risen so far and achieved so much in his life, he had started off with a shovel in his hand. He was a shining example to all. Patrick is survived by his wife of 50 years, Sandra D. O’Neill, and their children: Erin O’Neill Argueta (Alex) of Stamford, CT, and Kevin Reddy O’Neill (Terri McBride) of London, England as well as the couple’s grandchildren, Haley and Dylan Argueta, and Jackson, Whitman, and Quinlan O’Neill. Additionally, he is survived by many other family members, including Patrick and Tim O’Neill, and many beloved friends in New Canaan. A memorial service to celebrate Patrick’s life will be held at a later date to be announced. The family is grateful for the condolences. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University of Alaska’s Patrick Henry O’Neill Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company Scholarship which can be found at: https://www.alaska.edu/foundation/ways_to_give/give-now.