Briggs Theodore O’Neill
Briggs Theodore O’Neill
Briggs Theodore O’Neill, only age 10 in years, but a true marauding Viking in spirit, passed away suddenly on August 6, 2021. Loved and coveted by the countless who are devastated by his sudden and unexpected departure, they choose to honor him here with a cheeky report of his decade of adventures (and sometime misadventures), as he would have appreciated with a devious laugh and his deep spirit as a true Ponca Posse scrapper.
Briggs joined this world on February 25, 2011, entering the ring as a scant four-pound feather weight, but punching above his weight class from day one. He was larger than life in all things, cultivating his delightful naughtiness and confidence from an early age, and quickly establishing himself as the Errol Flyn of his generation with his passion for grand adventure, cultivation of intoxicating charm, and expansive love of the ladies, even if they were just “kinda hot.” He was the baby of his family, as well as the baby boy of his large extended family, setting his role early on as the tough as nails boy and lovable outsized underdog who always raced to keep up with the big kids.
As Briggs extended the reach of his influence beyond his family, many believed that his preschool behavior reports would at some point act as the foundation for the greatest comedic memoir of all time, belying his short stint as the sweetest and lowest maintenance baby in Omaha. Known to be wildly smart and a statistics savant, as well as a true card shark, he was not above flipping a table after a troubling dice game and grimly announcing from his time out spot that he was, “Sorry…because I lost.” His unpredictable pit boss tendencies aside, and notwithstanding his 45-minute First Reconciliation, he loved school, was an incredibly bright and diligent student, and served as a true friend to all.
Many believed Briggs to be the real Wizard of Oz behind the annual Indianapolis Colts draft picks, as he tracked their comings and goings with an expansive zeal, which efforts were only surpassed for his love of the Omaha North Vikings football team. You could find Briggs and his posse each Friday night, after the Vikings game, as the next generation had their own shot at running down the field under the lights. Reveling in his role as the unofficial little brother to the Vikings football players, he delivered his absurd level of competitiveness and loyalty to bear on their behalf as the tiniest superfan who counted each of their wins and losses as though they were his own. He carried that same spirit to his long-time baseball team, no doubt planning many future North Side Viking baseball team tattoos as he imagined their future as World Series Champions.
A true family man, Briggs lived a secret life as a momma’s boy looking for arm tickles, while also acting as his father’s precise and mercurial Chief Offensive Mischief Coordinator. Unsurprisingly there was no deeper love than Briggs had for his older brother Baker, a pair who would pound each other to a pulp, while being simultaneously willing to crush any third party who would say a word against the other. Their love for each other, even to the end, was the greatest gift imaginable. The names of Baker and Briggs will be paired and intertwined for an eternity, much like their deep love for one another. There is no doubt that Briggs is now teaching his brother, Dominic, who preceded him in death, all about how to twerk and take a punch, but most importantly how to watch over their brother, Baker.
Briggs’ time in this living world and what he meant to his family can be described by the lines penned by W.H. Auden, “He was my North, my South, my East and West, My working week and my Sunday rest, My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song.” Whether you were looking for a partner in prank, or a loyal wingman to help carry your burden, little Briggs was the North Star for the countless who loved him with the very fiber of their being. As it continues to feel like all the clocks have stopped ticking, and the world has stopped spinning, his family and friends will endeavor to use their long library of memories from this true one of a kind as a compass to make the long and arduous journey ahead; while his selfless gift of organ donation will continue to impact lives beyond those that were blessed enough to know him.
While Briggs may have never gotten to see his beloved Colts play in person here on earth, there is no doubt that he will be drawing up plays and having an opinion on the starting line-up from the best seat in town this season.
Left to celebrate Briggs and spread his unique brand of joy are his father; Todd, his mother; Jen, and his brother; Baker, his grandparents; Carole and Gary Schmitz and Gay and Marty O’Neill, as well as many other family and friends.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Briggs O’Neill Memorial Fund through American National Bank, which will be used to support things that would have made Briggs smile, likely along the lines of helping the underdog and ensuring that everyone always has a fair shot.
Visitation: Thursday, August 12, 2021 with the family receiving friends from 3-5 pm and 6:15-7 pm followed by a Vigil Service at 7 pm at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 11802 Pacific St.
Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, August 13, 2021 at 10:30 am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church.
To honor the love Briggs had for the Colts, the family encourages you to wear Colts clothing or similar blue and white attire.
The Vigil Service and Mass of Christian Burial will be Live Streamed at stroberts.com.
