Senate Resolution No. 942
BY: Senator CLEARE
MOURNING the death of James C. O'Neal, AARP New
York State President, on April 9, 2025
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and
extol those individuals who dedicated their lives to the betterment of
their communities and represented the interests of the communities
through years of public service; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor the life
of service of James C. O'Neal, AARP New York State President, who died
on Wednesday, April 9, 2025; and
WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal, of Harlem, New York, earned his Bachelor
of Arts from Franklin & Marshall College and Master of Arts from New
York University; and
WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal possessed a comprehensive knowledge of
aging and health care that strengthened AARP New York; he was dedicated
to making New York State healthier, more livable, and more affordable
for its citizens to live and age; he lead Volunteer Executive Council
Advising AARP's New York State Office; and
WHEREAS, An independent consultant on older adult issues, James C.
O'Neal spent more than a decade in the community healthcare industry,
working with Oxford Health Plans, the Visiting Nurse Service of New
York, and Beth Abraham's CenterLight Healthcare, where he held the
position of Director of Community Outreach until his retirement in
January 2015; and
WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal's past appointments include advisory and
leadership roles with the Adult Immunization Coalition of the Department
of Health & Mental Hygiene of New York City and the United States
Department of Housing and Development-sponsored "Healthy Homes, Healthy
Seniors" Community Study; and
WHEREAS, In 2016, James C. O'Neal was appointed Member of the
governor's Advisory Committee for the Aging, and since 2018, he served
as United Nations Representative for the International Federation on
Ageing; and
WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal served as Board Member of the State Society
on Aging of New York, Neighborhood SHOPP (senior centers and services),
and the Washington Heights/Inwood Interagency Council on Aging, and he
was President of the Bronx Interagency Council on Aging (BRICA); and
WHEREAS, As an expert on aging and dedicated community healthcare
advocate, James C. O'Neal was appointed as State President of AARP New
York; in this position, he chaired the AARP New York Executive Council,
a select leadership group of AARP New York members, with an outstanding
record of service and a commitment to the goals of the Association; and
WHEREAS, As State President, James C. O'Neal helped shape AARP New
York's strategic priorities, build community partnerships with key
decision makers, and serve as volunteer spokesperson for the
organization; and
WHEREAS, James C. O'Neal's legacy is one of compassion, excellence,
and dedication to his profession; he was committed to the betterment of
the AARP New York community, and he will be deeply missed by all who had
the privilege of knowing and working with him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body proudly honors the life of
James C. O'Neal and his memory; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of James C. O'Neal.
