John Michael “Mike” O’Neil passed away peacefully Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Dozoretz Hospice House of Virginia Beach. Born February 9, 1941, in Washington, D.C., he was predeceased by his father, Albert “Bud” Owen O’Neil, his mother, Catherine O’Hara O’Neil and his sister, Patricia O’Neil Tedesco. He was raised in Newport News, Virginia and eventually graduated from Hampton High School. He attended East Carolina Teaching College and was a member of PKA fraternity.
At age 17 Mike enlisted in the Marine Corp and was off to Parris Island for basic training. After intense training and several warnings as a Private for truant behavior, the Marine Corp agreed to honorably discharge him for the good of the country and himself. Although his time served was short, you will never meet a prouder Marine.
Mike managed several clubs from Virginia Beach to Durham, NC. When back in Newport News, his friend Bucky Keller, introduced him to his niece, Kippe Hollowell. He was smitten from day one and said she was the most beautiful gal he had ever seen.
He worked in the automobile industry until 1981, when he opened the first sports bar in Newport News, Mike’s Place. It had multiple big screen TV’s, fresh seafood and the famous Big “O” burger of which he served over 100,000, allegedly.
Mike had a huge heart and was always the first to support those in need –Toys For Tots, The Poor Claires, Achievable Dream, Ileitis Colitis Foundation, Peninsula Pilots, and closest to his heart, the VMI Lacrosse/Clark Minnigerode Scholarship. He held multiple successful golf tournaments to raise money, awareness and a good time for all. He had a generosity of spirit and a zest for life. He excelled at storytelling, making people laugh and having a good time. If you ever had the good fortune to sit at The Situation Table, shoot craps or spend any amount of time with him, you were lucky. With a constant glimmer in his eye, a quick wit and sharp mind, you couldn’t ask for a more entertaining friend. Make no mistake if you were his friend, you had a loyal friend for life. No Question. Some of his greatest memories came from attending sporting events with friends, gambling junkets to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and The Bahamas and trips to St. Maarten with Kippe and friends.
Mike was the proud father of Wendy O’Neil Taylor, Dr. John Christian O’Neil, M.D., and Amy Minnigerode Powell. He was a proud PopPop to six grandchildren: Jack, Patrick and Jane Phillips; Kippe, Katie and Randy Powell and multiple nieces, nephews and others. He provided a “family” to many Mike’s Place patrons that often times joined his family for holidays. Most importantly he was married to his wife, Kippe Hollowell O’Neil, for 58 years, and always knew he was the luckiest guy in the room. She was the smartest, most beautiful gal he had ever met. In the last few years he told her multiple times a day how much he loved her, just in case he didn’t say it enough early on.
After 30 years of much success and many memories, Mike’s Place closed its doors. It was a local institution, and Mike was an absolute legend. He often said “I have the best job in the whole world” and we know no one could have done it better than he did. The catholic mass will be held Thursday, May 15th at 11am at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the VMI Keydet Club for the benefit of the W. Clark Minnigerode ’92 Scholarship PO Box 932, Lexington, VA 24450.
Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23601.
8 Comments
I grew up in North End of Newport News like Mike but 3years older. We played baseball together in a city league and enjoyed a lot of laughs together. May God give you rest and peace my friend.
Kippe and family. This is a very sad day for all of us that had honor knowing and being friends with Mike He never forgot your name or face and would give anyone the shirt off of his back even if did not know you.. he loved to laugh and have a good time and shake your hand and say hi or good bye.we are all better off by knowing Mike. we will not say goodbye just say see you later good friend. Ronnie and Mary Staton.
Mike was a great guy and friend I really enjoyed talking to him He always had a joke and a great sense of humor with many many stories. I really enjoyed coming to Mikes place to listen to stories. I will miss him and so will thousands of others.
Mike gave the eulogy for Bill at his service . When Bill died, Mike was the first to come with a large box of food and kind words. We spent many wonderful times with friends at Mike’s Place. Heartfelt sympathy to Kippe and family .
Dorothy Collins Leggette
One of a kind. Enjoyed our times swapping stories. RIP SEMPER FI
Today while our hearts are heavy, our memories are rich. Mike was a truly remarkable guy — a man whose presence filled every room he entered, whose laughter was as loud as his love was deep, and whose wit could lift your spirits even on your darkest days.
To say he had a big personality almost feels like an understatement. He didn’t just live life — he commanded it. He had that rare spark — the kind of energy that could turn the most ordinary moment into something unforgettable. Whether it was a sporting event, a gambling junket or simply a sit down with him at Mikes Place, he brought color and laughter wherever he went.
He had the gift of gab — not just because he could talk, but because he knew how to talk. He had a way of making you laugh at life, especially when life didn’t feel all that funny. With a sharp tongue and an even sharper sense of timing, he could deliver a one-liner that would leave you gasping for air. But behind every joke, every wisecrack, was a man who truly cared. His wit wasn’t just for show — it was how he connected, how he lifted people up, how he showed love.
He wasn’t perfect — but he was real. Unapologetically, wonderfully, hilariously real. And in that authenticity, he gave us all permission to be a little more ourselves. He made you feel like you mattered. Like you were in on the joke — not the butt of it. Like you were part of something bigger just by being near him.
He was a loyal friend and frankly I will miss him for selfish reasons because he always embellished all of my exploits, good and bad and each year they became bigger and bigger. Hell I thought he was a retired major in the marine Corp until I read his obituary. Also, Mike had always told me that he had sold over a million Big O burgers at Mikes place now I finding out it may have been less than 100,000. I am not going to hold those stories against him and still loved him. He will always be the “Little Round Man with the Square Deal”, apparently his car salesman logo!
Though he’s no longer with us in the way we’d like, his stories live on. His jokes, his sayings, his infectious energy — we carry those with us. And that’s how someone like him never truly leaves. Because when you live big, love hard, and laugh often — you echo..
Rest well, my friend. You were truly one of a kind.
Always met me with a smile and good cheer. Rest in peace old friend. My condolences to all the family
So sorry to hear this, our family always went to Mike’s Place and missed it when he closed. Sending prayers for comfort and peace to the family he was a wonderful man.