About R.J. O'Neil
Learn About Our Dedicated Team
Est. 1926
Learn Why R.J. O'neil
Is More than A Company
R.J. O’Neil is a full-service mechanical contractor that offers 24/7 services in heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing and process piping. We offer complete mechanical services including new system installation, maintenance, and emergency repairs. We also offer comprehensive maintenance programs for our commercial and residential customers.
- R.J. O’Neil has built a solid reputation as a service-oriented organization by helping customers
- Increase reliability and equipment life
- Decrease energy usage and repair costs
- Increased productivity, tenant comfort & satisfaction
With our experienced team and extensive history in the industry Since 1926, R. J. O’Neil is the way to ensure the HVAC or Plumbing equipment at your business or residence continues to run smoothly. We believe in quality relationships and quality work and stand behind both. If it’s by Helicopter or Crane, no project is too big or small for R.J. O’Neil.
A review of our completed projects will testify to our working familiarity with many types of mechanical systems. We have provided systems layout, installation, and repair for a broad range of mechanical processes. Past installations include new construction, renovations, and exacting historical renovations. The large number of public projects we undertake stands in testament to our competitiveness in the negotiated or bid arena.
Our extensive inventory of tools, equipment, and components has been selected for greater productivity in both routine and specialized projects. We maintain a complete sheet metal and welding fabrication shop. Specialized equipment further includes: backhoe, jet rodding machine, hot-tapping tools, computerized backflow test gauges, combustion gas analyzers, electronic carbon monoxide detectors, confined space equipment.
Established in 1926, R.J. O’Neil has a strong sense of pride that characterizes our company. We have built a solid reputation as a high quality service oriented firm with a can do team oriented attitude and we work diligently everyday to improve our products, processes and services.
Our Story
1926
Roy Joseph O'Neil leaves his employment as a railroad steamfitter and starts his own company.
1930's
Business and the company both grow continually. R.J. O'Neil starts doing residential plumbing as well as heating.
1940's
WWII made for difficult times for both families and businesses, yet R.J. O'Neil survives, and work stars to pick up again after the war.
1950's
Times are good, the company grows, and work is plentiful. Business operations pass the to the next generation of family leadership.
1960's
Relocate headquarters to Union Street in Aurora. Acquisition of the first backhoe ends hand digging water services and allows for focus on commercial and industrial piping. Officially incorporates in 1963.
1970's
Commercial and industrial work in Aurora continues and operations extend to the nearby Fox Valley area. Founder, Roj Joseph O'Neil passes away.
1980's
Sheet metal division, as well as a service department, added. Business operations pass to the third generation of family leadership.
1990's
Water and wastewater division is born. Plumbing, piping, sheet metal, and service departments continue to grow.
Our Story
1926
Roy Joseph O'Neil leaves his employment as a railroad steamfitter and starts his own company.
1930's
Business and the company both grow continually. R.J. O'Neil starts doing residential plumbing as well as heating.
1940's
WWII made for difficult times for both families and businesses, yet R.J. O'Neil survives, and work stars to pick up again after the war.
1950's
Times are good, the company grows, and work is plentiful. Business operations pass the to the next generation of family leadership.
1960's
Relocate headquarters to Union Street in Aurora. Acquisition of the first backhoe ends hand digging water services and allows for focus on commercial and industrial piping. Officially incorporates in 1963.
1970's
Commercial and industrial work in Aurora continues and operations extend to the nearby Fox Vally area. Founder, Roj Joseph O'Neil passes away.
1980's
Sheet metal division, as well as a service department, added. Business operations pass to the third generation of family leadership.
1990's
Water and wastewater division are born. Plumbing, piping, sheet metal, and service departments continue to grow.
Three Generations
History. Family. Hard Work.
R.J. O’Neil dates back to April of 1926. Roy Joseph O’Neil Sr. announced to his family that he would be leaving his job as a steamfitter at the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad. It was a trade he had learned from his father who came to Aurora from Schenectady NY with the railroad chasing the promise of the American Dream, as so many of his day had done.
At barely 30 years old, Roy with two young children and a third on the way chose to forgo the security of a steady job (10 hours a day, 6 days a week) at the railroad to follow his entrepreneurial spirit of opening his own business. At the time Aurora had a municipal incinerator that generated power. The waste steam that it produced was free to downtown businesses. All they needed was a steam boiler and a pipefitter to hook them up.
Armed with his 1920 model T pickup truck, a box of old tools, (many of which we still have today), and a whole lot of prayers… R.J. O’Neil was born. Times were good. Business continued to grow along with the growing city of Aurora.
Then, the depression came and wiped out the personal fortunes of many. Family businesses suffered and folded, but R.J. O’Neil survived. The Second World War came and past and Roy’s two oldest boys went into the service (Roy Jr. to Europe in the air force & John to the pacific with the marines).
When the war ended, everyone came home and the economy’s biggest expansion in American history ensued. New housing was being built faster than men could be found to build them. John and Roy both graduated from the University of Notre Dame. John returned to the family business with big dreams and big plans, and in time Robert the youngest son did as well when he returned from Korea.
Along with the housing boom there were new schools; new stores, factories, new government buildings being built, and R. J. O’Neil began to expand into the process piping and commercial plumbing and heating market as well. And with all of the good years and difficult years, R.J. O’Neil continued on.
