Edward J. McNeil, Jr., 62, passed away peacefully at his home in Chester, NH on April 3, 2014 with his loving family at his side. Born on July 8, 1951, he was the son of the late Edward Sr. and Theresa McNeil. A longtime classic car enthusiast, he taught himself to work on cars, rebuilding a 1939 Chevy Coupe from the ground up to the finishing coat of paint. In later years he loved his Harley Davidson motorcycles, and spent memorable times riding out West with his buddy Jimmy Gleason, exploring the West Coast; the Grand Canyon; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Yellowstone National Park; and Telluride, Colorado. He had a passion for airplanes, and in the summer of 2013, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of taking flying lessons towards earning his pilot's license.
He was the beloved husband of Tracey (Pisco) McNeil, with whom he shared twenty seven years. They loved vacationing at Lake Winnipesaukee and visiting family in Arizona. He was the dedicated and loving father of Edward J. McNeil, III and his wife Jennifer of North Reading; and of Michael J. McNeil and his wife Kelley of Methuen; and was the beloved grandfather of Edward J. McNeil, IV and Joseph McNeil of North Reading, and of Bradi Lee McNeil of Methuen. They will cherish forever the wisdom he shared with them. He is also survived by his loving sister, Virginia McNeil Slep and her husband Gary, of Wayland; by his lifelong friend James Gleason, of North Reading, and by many cousins, nephews and nieces.
Friends and relatives may call on Sunday, April 6, 2014 from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence St. Methuen, MA 01844. Funeral Services will begin promptly at 3:00 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Home Health and Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH, 03054. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is honored to serve McNeil family.