O'Neill would eventually move to Santa Cruz, where he built a surfing and apparel empire from his shop on 41st Avenue.
A few years back, he spoke about his life in a video on his company's website. "I was thinking I was going to have a surf shop down at the beach and have a few friends. I never dreamed anything like this would happen," he said.
O'Neill was known for his down-to-earth demeanor and trademark eye-patch that covered an eye he lost while surfing.
He was 94 years old.