The McNeill family is heartbroken to announce that Michael Walter McNeill has passed away. 

Michael was the youngest of seven siblings. Born in West Orange, he graduated from Mountain High School (now West Orange High School) in 1979. He graduated from Morris County Community College and attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology, studying Electrical Engineering. He was employed as a master electrician for the PATH, (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey). He worked previously at East Orange General Hospital and Alison Control Inc, in Fairfield NJ.  An active member of the West Orange Elks club, Michael had also been an enthusiastic volunteer at the Montclair Operetta Club in his youth.

Michael was a talented baker who often surprised others with his delicious chocolate chip cookies and his other homemade baked goods. He showed this same generosity in helping family and friends with their household electrical problems. A talented amateur singer and graceful dancer, he was happiest at family gatherings and celebrations. Although he read voraciously, his love was to be on his motorcycle riding freely. 

Michael is survived by his large and loving family including his six siblings and their spouses - Nancy and James Simonic, Winifred McNeill and John Woodruff, Jane McNeill, Dorothy McNeill, Francis and Sue McNeill, and James McNeill. He was a beloved uncle to Jennifer Simonic and Spencer Welton, Johanna, Bradley and Collin Rhyins, Kaitlynn and Jake Winch, Ryan and Casey Killam, Caleigh McNeill and Tyler Spratte, Francis McNeill, and Sara and James McNeill. His cherished grand nieces and nephews are Julia and Jake Welton, Jillian and Nina Alverez, Clarke and Maeve Killam, Conor Winch, and Charlie Spratte. Michael was preceded in death by his father Francis John McNeill and mother Winifred McNeill (nee Cunningham). 

The wake will be held at the Dangler Funeral Home, 340 Main Street, West Orange, NJ on Thursday, November 20th from 4 until 8pm. The funeral mass will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1 Eagle Rock Avenue, West Orange, NJ on Friday morning at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Michaels’ honor to the McNeill Cunningham family scholarship fund (https://www.woboe.org/scholarshipfund)