Renee has ancestors from Canada and a family deeply rooted in Biddeford, where she grew up.  

Her life trajectory has been one of seizing opportunities. Her experience at the family Potvin’s Market in OOB led to her and husband buying and growing a convenience store in their early 20s. Her training as a dancer led to being  Business Manager of the Maine Opera at City Theater. This led her to a leadership role in the renovation of City Theater, then a new position as Clerk of Works to oversee City Hall renovations.  Her need to oversee the care of her aging parents led to her being Admissions Director at St. Andre’s Home and eventually to a position in Human Resources at Southern Maine Health Care.

She is a founding member of the Heart of Biddeford, is on the City’s Policy Committee and several boards including Wardwell.

She and her high school sweetheart, Jim O’Neil, are proud parents of two children.

Renee Potvin O'Neil

INTERVIEW DETAILS

Date of Interview: October 9, 2024

Location: O’Neil office, Biddeford, Maine 

Interviewer:  Tom Girard 

Transcriber:  Nicole Morin-Scribner

LINK TO INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

PICTURES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

SELECTED INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

  • How her father’s service in the Korean War and work as a surveyor led to a Purple Heart
  • Family moves with her father, building the country’s interstate highway system
  • Her father’s involvement in community organizations/local politics including helping Jimmy Carter/Walter Mondale campaign in town
  • The role of boxing in her family
  • The neighborhood-based “small town” experience growing up in Biddeford during the 60s and 70s
  • Lessons from her parents: Welcome all.  Don’t fear people or ideas who are different
  • Fixing old City Theater seats for college book money
  • Told, “You are nuts” when suggesting a key to downtown growth was people to living in the mills
  • Witness to the  evolution of Biddeford’s downtown from the heights when a young girl, to its abandonment. Why she feels it survived and the process of rejuvenation.  The pros and cons of “the good ole days” vs challenges of change.
  • No bucket list.  Goal: adapt to what is going on 
  • Can’t stand still. Embrace change while honoring historic preservation

DEMOGRAPHICS

Birthplace:  Burlington, Vermont

Education: Biddeford High SchoolColby-Sawyer, New London NH-Bachelors Fine  and Performing Arts, Associates in Medical Studies

Ethnic Identification:  Franco-American