I’m so sorry to hear this. Shawn was always such a warm, quick-witted presence in the halls of TAS. His kindness had no motive beyond its own satisfaction, and the world was made brighter by his having been here. May he rest in peace.
2
Jessica Liao
2003, Taipei American School, 中山北路六段 Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan
My first memory of Mr. O'Neal was the first day I toured the school as a transfer student, and I was invited to the school cafeteria. He had a big laugh and radiated positivity. I was invited to have school lunch and as I walked through the line, Mr. O'Neal was speaking absolutely flawless Taiwanese and joking with the Taiwanese lunch ladies all dressed in pink while they belly laughed at his jokes. I went home and my parents asked how my first day was - I forgot to tell them about actual school but told them I was in awe that a foreigner could speak Mandarin and Taiwanese far better than me! He was always so kind to me throughout high school and he won't be forgotten!
2
I went to school with Shawn He was very, very kind very thoughtful had a smile out of this world he will be truly missed, but never forgotten my family sends our condolences to his family, and friends may the Lord wrap his arms around them as they go through this time of grief .
2
保重大哥！Take care Shawn! I overlapped with him for several years at TAS and we connected as Chinese speaking buddies. I don’t think we spoke English together even once. We enjoyed each each other’s willingness to engage and extend our conversations with whoever was around. I will always remember you Shawn and look forward to catching up in Chinese again, when the time comes.
你的朋友
張保利, aka Pauli Haakenson (TAS 1998-2006)
1
I was [ profoundly sad ] when I heard the news of Shawn's passing. I met Shawn when I was an exchange student in Oceanside (1984) and became friends with Erica and later with the O’Neal family. I remember his sense of humor and positivity. And although we have not met after that period, I can tell you that Shawn and the O’Neals profoundly impacted my then teenage self and my life afterwards. Now, from distance, I send my love and comdolences to his family and reassure you that my heart lies with you!
0
I mustn't forget...sending my deepest sympathies to Shawn's beautiful wife and children. I never got to meet you, but I know what a close family you've always been. It was a privilege knowing him. He was a fellow OHS alumni, beloved by all who knew him. Sending you all warm, comforting hugs.
2
Shawn visited from Taiwan years ago, and we met up in DC to spend the day walking around, checking out all the monuments. It was the hottest day of the year at the time, and I was about ready to pass out! So I stood under the sprinklers in front of the Lincoln Memorial while Shawn jogged up all those steps! He said he was used to the heat, as Taiwan is very hot and humid...so it was just another sunny day to him. And I just stayed right by those sprinklers, thank you very much. haha What a great memory of my old friend and fellow OHS alumni. A memory to treasure till we meet again, Bro. ❤
3
Fly high, Brother. I know you have a special place in Heaven because you held a special place in the hearts of all who knew you here on earth. It's been a privilege, old friend.
0
Shaun was a special person. His success in running inspired me to run as well. A great person with a great heart! He will be missed by all that knew him. Sending my deepest condolences to the family🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼May he rest in peace
1
Shawn was my 8th Brother in the Nolasco Family. He was my younger brother Joey's Best Friend. And they were Teammates at El Camino High School in Cross Country anspd Track.
Joey was never as good as Shawn. But, he trained with him. Joey spend a lot of time with him . I lived in Long Beach and I always wondered where my brother was at. He was always with Shawn.
On Facebook, I followed Shawn in his business of cooking. I never knew he was sick with Cancer, these last 3 years. I enjoyed his workout posts on Facebook. He posted some incredible workouts and I always enjoyed his School pictures. R.I.P My Younger brother
2
I didn’t have the pleasure to get to know Mr O’Neal deeply but I know that every time I saw him in the same room in TAS, he radiated positivity and joy in such contagious fashion, which now I know how rare that is.
So many people also spends years in a foreign country without learning the local language, and Mr O’Neal’s mastery of mandarin speaks to his respect toward others and dedication.
He will be missed! Sending you, Monica, and your family a big hug 🖤
1
認識強哥是在Hash Run, 非常熱情幽默風趣，而且中文超級好！在團隊裡照顧著每一個人～也看到他對美食的執著（感恩節火雞打針大隊），以及對身體健康的堅持。
很突然得知這個消息，很震驚。因為在我心裡強哥永遠是那麼年輕風趣幽默健康！（連跟孩子之間的相處都很令人羨慕）
沒想到已經跟癌症對抗這麼長時間，他把痛苦藏起來，用樂觀面對大家。
很捨不得，大家都這麼的愛他，感謝強哥為我們帶來的歡笑，以及相處陪伴的時光，希望你在天堂一樣樂觀、開朗、跑步、吃美食、撂中文！
0
2019, Taipei American School, 中山北路六段 Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan
Every hangout with Uncle O'Neal must have a wacky selfie
3
I met Shawn 45 years ago as a Freshman at Oceanside High School. I am in the same class as his little sister Erica O’Neal. If you know Shawn, there was nothing more he loved to do than RUN! And Oh boy could he run! It must’ve been an O’Neal trait because Erica was a runner as well! 😂😉 We were all on the track team, and if you’re familiar with the warm up routine… As a team, we all took a warm up lap to loosen up prior to stretching. I don’t know how I ended up in the front of the line (my event was the Shot Put and Discus) and I was just a Freshman! lol. I started to jog.. well, I THOUGHT it was a jog. Until Duane Coleman grabbed the back of my sweatshirt and said slow down. 😂🥲🤦🏽♀️ And I remember Shawn saying, it always happens… first timers run fast when we’re just warming up. 😂🤣🥰
I think of Shawn often because throughout the years, Shawn was always the one of the first to wish me a Happy Birthday on FB living on the other side of the world. 17+ hours ahead.
Rest well my dear friend. I look forward to running a warm up lap with you again on that One Glorious morning. 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽
3
Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
A wonderful visit w Shawn and hike to Piegan Pass
2
Mr. O’Neal - your energy was truly infectious. Whether it was in the cafeteria or on the track, you could always make me laugh. I still remember seeing how hard you worked to feed thousands of students during the day and then got in the miles on the track after school. You brought a passion and dedication to every aspect of your life. Those who think of a traditional American school lunch really don’t understand how spoiled we were with the cafeteria you created but more importantly, with the positive energy you brought to work. You are missed. Sending love to your family.
1
To 強哥，
我剛剛去看以前我們最早的照片，原來我們是2011年在Hash認識的,懷念一起跑Hash&Bash的時光💖，當時也常在各種路跑比賽會場見到面，這些年來雖然比較少遇到，還是有靠FB po 文彼此關注近況
真的很不捨
你的病痛已離開
願你安息主懷，天家再見
R.I.P.
0
Mr. O'Neal was always around to brighten our day at school! I remember everyone waiting in the hot lunch line and getting so excited when Mr. O'Neal appeared - "It's Mr. O'Neal!!" We couldn't wait to see what funny joke he would crack today. He'd never cease to amaze us with his perfect Mandarin, and even more impeccable Taiwanese. Even those hard-to-impress parents would immediately soften up at the sight of him. Thinking about him always brought a smile on everyone's faces, even long after we graduated. Mr. O'Neal was always an inspiration for how generous, warm, and embracing someone could be. Thanks for all the wonderful laughs, Mr. O'Neal.
2
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