JERSEY CITY -- Alton O'Neill, the longtime photographer for City Hall who snapped pictures of sports legends, local celebrities and at least one president, died at his home on Monday. He was 73.

O'Neill's nearly 30-year stint with municipal government gave him a front-row seat to every major event that occurred in Jersey City over the three decades. He worked days, nights, weekends and holidays, attending about as many parades as our local politicians. Over the years he photographed NFL legend Jim Brown, Barack Obama and countless local residents, both boldfaced names and everyday heroes.

"He never really saw his job as a job because he loved it," said Orlando O'Neill, 28, his youngest son. "No matter how many crazy hours or holidays or parades he did, he never complained."

O'Neill leaves behind his wife, Julie, 10 children, 32 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, a family so large his son had to consult a piece of paper to make sure he had the numbers correct.

A lifelong city resident, O'Neill was a graduate of Lincoln High School and New Jersey City University -- when it was still Jersey City State College -- where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. At the end of his life he lived in College Towers, near the NJCU campus.

Obama and O'Neill during the then-senator's visit to Jersey City in 2008.

Before he became a shutterbug, O'Neill was in show business, singing as part of Jersey City's own doo-wop group Ronnie and the Hi-lites during the 1960s. The group had a minor hit with "I Wish That We Were Married."

O'Neill started at City Hall in 1982, serving as a youth adviser and then a public information officer serving under then-Mayor Gerry McCann. After a short stint away from city government, O'Neill returned in 1990 during McCann's second term and served continuously until his retirement last year.

O'Neill had been battling cancer in the final years of his life.

Stan Eason, who worked closely with O'Neill in the city's communications department, said O'Neill "never said no" to an assignment.

"He's a special man. Sometimes he would call me boss but I didn't look at him that way," Eason said. "He was my colleague, my co-worker and a better friend."

There will be a public viewing at Greenville Memorial Home, 374 Danforth Ave., on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. O'Neill's family said all are welcome.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.