A PALS' Gift

A PALS' Gift



When Dan Garry found out that Shawn O’Neill had ALS he asked his neighbor what his plans were. Shawn said he was going to “take it one day at a time.”

The small community of houseboats that Dan and Shawn shared was like no other in Brooklyn and after Shawn’s illness, it would never be the same again. While everyone had always been cordial, it wasn’t until they had a cause to rally around that they became close.

“People would come out, pass each other and say hello,” Dan said. “After Shawn’s diagnosis we all became closer. The community formed a strong bond.”

According to Dan, Shawn O’Neill, a contractor by trade, was a rather solitary person. Friendly but not open. Like many in the community he kept his personal details to himself and people rarely visited each others’ homes.

“But the illness opened up his heart, his soul, his life,” Dan said. “He was really very giving whether it was a word or food in his fridge when people came to visit. We learned from that.”

If Shawn, who was battling ALS could be so positive and open, then perhaps everyone else could be too. Shawn’s wish was to stay in his beautiful community as long as he could. He wanted to stay on his boat, in his home. His neighbors made sure that he got his wish.

They rallied around Shawn and worked together to help support him. At first, they felt that they were giving Shawn a gift, by ensuring that he was able to live out his days in his beloved houseboat, but in the end, it seems that Shawn was giving more back than anyone ever thought possible.

“Everyone was touched by him,” Dan said.



It could have been any illness, but this particular diagnosis of ALS allowed the neighbors to pitch in to help Shawn and in return they really got to know him, realizing that they were also getting to know each other. Along the way they all found a message in their shared plight.

“He taught us to let things go,” Dan explained. “Don’t get stuck in the details of life.”

While Shawn was sick, the neighbors got together and renamed a street in their community, Shawn O’Neill Avenue. They were glad that Shawn was able to see that happen.

Shawn is gone now, but his memory lives on in all the people who met and cared for him. Every time they come home, they see the street sign with his name on it and are reminded of the gift that Shawn gave to them. Now people make time to invite their neighbors into their homes for dinner and to visit. Shawn’s life changed the little houseboat community for the better.

“In retrospect it was a positive experience,” Dan recalled. “I call it divine.”