Loved to travel to various destinations
Published in the April 11, 2018 edition
WAKEFIELD — Laurence F. “Larry” McNeil, 65, a retired Project Manager at Harvard University, passed away at the Meadow View Nursing Home, after a long illness, on Sunday morning, April 8, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Deborah (Willette).
Larry was born in Woburn. He was the son of the late Laurence and Jean McNeil. He was raised and educated in Burlington and a 1971 graduate of Burlington High School. He would end up marrying his “prom date” Deborah Willette in 1972. They made their home in Wakefield where they raised their sons. Larry and Debbie also welcomed foster children into their home throughout the years.
Prior to raising their family Larry and Debbie loved to travel. At one point they packed up their car and took a 5 week trip camping throughout the United States. In later years they took their children to the National Parks and took trips to such destinations as California, Hawaii and Italy.
Larry loved his career working in construction and project management. In his early years he was an entrepreneur selling and installing solar panels in the 1980’s before anyone knew of them. He also managed larger construction projects with a focus on energy savings. Larry’s last job was at Harvard where he worked for 13 years.
Larry worked hard to provide for his family and instilled in his sons the same values. Larry was a true “hockey dad” working multiple jobs to pay for his sons’ hockey and driving to hockey rinks at all hours of the day.
Larry loved classic rock ‘n’ roll and enjoyed going to concerts with friends and family. He was an avid Boston sports fan following the Bruins, the Celtics, the Patriots and the Red Sox. He always enjoyed cars and motorcycles and took great pride in repairing and rebuilding them including restoring his antique Triumph motorcycle. In later years nothing brought him greater pleasure than a long ride on his Harley Davidson.
Larry will be remembered as a quiet and mild mannered man who worked hard to provide for his family.
Larry was the beloved husband of Deborah (Willette). Loving and proud father of Michael of Wakefield, Jay and his wife Christine of Woburn and the late Marc. Brother of David of N.H., Christine and Corey of Burlington, and the late Timothy.
Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Saturday, April 14 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., concluding with funeral services at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. Burial will be private.
