A ‘generous and kind’ young Aussie who died after suffering a medical episode in his sleep on New Year’s Eve is being remembered for his community spirit.
Tom O’Neill, 22, died on New Year’s Eve after suffering a suspected epileptic seizure just hours after spending time with his family.
The horticulturalist from Geelong, Victoria, had been diagnosed with epilepsy as a newborn after suffering a bout of meningitis.
Despite having a brain injury and a history of seizures, Mr O’Neill didn’t let this stop him from helping others whenever he could.
‘For the last couple of years he’s gone up to Melbourne, to the MCG, to volunteer at the firefighter stair climb,’ his brother, Jack, told Daily Mail .
‘As a family we didn’t find out about that until after (his passing).
‘He wasn’t one to really to talk too much about it, or expect some sort of praise or pat on the back or anything like that.’
While Mr O’Neill’s health issues inspired him to volunteer with the local branch of the Make A Wish Foundation, it also meant he struggled socially.
But shortly after his passing, friends from around the world he had made online shared stories of his kindness with his grieving family.
Jack, the oldest of Mr O’Neill’s 11 siblings, said his brother found it hard to socialise and would often be ‘on the periphery and observe’ because of his health issues.
But he cherished what friends he did have and drove several hours to check on a mate in rural Victoria who had recently been doing it tough.
‘That highlights the type of friend that he was to many and they’re the sort of stories that we’re starting to see come to light now, given he was a very private person. It’s sort of now that we’re learning of some of these things that he did without asking to be recognised or expecting anything in return,’ Jack said.
A GoFundMe launched to cover Mr O’Neill’s funeral costs said those sharing stories of his generosity was helping his family during a devastating time.
‘His family are supported by the knowledge that Tom’s generosity and kindness will be felt by all who knew him long after his time with us,’ the fundraiser reads.
‘He will be sorely missed by his parents, siblings, friends and workmates, all of whom sincerely thank you for your kindness and support during this difficult time.’
The fundraiser has already raised more than $17,000 in just over three days with Mr O’Neill’s siblings sharing tributes to the 22-year-old on social media.
‘Taken far too soon Tom, you achieved so much in a short amount of time we love you very much. Fly high,’ his brother Harry wrote.
A family friend said she was one of the last people to see Mr O’Neill at her birthday dinner the night prior.
‘I made such a fuss of him for turning up for little old me. I hugged him goodbye, never imagining it was the last time I’d see his beautiful smile,’ she wrote.
‘Everyone, please take on board that you never know which goodbye could be the last. Hold the ones you love close.’
She added that the 22-year-old is ‘up there, looking down on (his family), spreading his angel wings of protection’.