James F. McNeil

James F. McNeil of Marshfield, formerly of Scituate, passed away on March 12, 2024 at the age of 96. He was the beloved husband of Ellen R. (Pennell); loving father of Ellen James and her husband Philip of Scituate, James McNeil and his wife Lisa of Scituate, and Brian McNeil and his wife Kim of Marshfield; cherished grandfather of Kevin, Shawna, Brian, John, Sheila, Hanna, Sean, Jack, Kelly, Kate and Jane. He is predeceased by his parents James F. and Ellen (Robinson) McNeil and a brother, William Duncan McNeil.
Jim matriculated at the Rindge Technical School in Cambridge, MA. While in high school his father passed away and two months after his dad passed his brother William Duncan McNeil was killed in action in WWII on the U.S.S. Bunker Hill. Jim tried to enlist but as the sole surviving son of a Gold Star mother, he was unable to join the military. Jim left school to help his mother at home. While working odd jobs to help support his mother Jim attended night school at the Harvard University Extension program, MIT University Extension, Bryant & Stratton Commercial School, and Bentley College. Jim began working at the General Motors Parts Division as a stock handler in 1950. After working his way up in General Motors receiving twelve promotions along the way Jim retired after 39 years as Fleet Account Executive in 1989. While working at General Motors he met his future bride Ellen Rena Pennell. They were married and have been together for 62 years. Jim & Rena were the best of friends, going on to have three children of their own and blessed with eleven grandchildren. He loved knowing how the grandchildren were doing whether it was in school, sports or work life and enjoyed speaking with them whenever they visited.
Jim was a dedicated husband and father who always put family first. He loved family gatherings and had an uncanny ability to tell stories and funny jokes. He was a man of great patience and wisdom, who had the courage to take on any challenges. He was looked up to by many as a leader, role model and a man of great integrity. Jim always had a positive outlook and that rubbed off on everyone, nothing was too hard to overcome. He spent many weekends playing golf at Hatherly Country Club where he was a member for 48 years and enjoyed his days with his golf buddies (The Geezers). He also enjoyed monthly poker games with The Geezers and cherished his friendships. Church was very important to Jim as he was a very religious man who was a member of the St. Francis parish in Scituate and later after moving to Marshfield a member of the St. Chistine's parish.
Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024. Family and friends are invited to gather at the MacDonald Funeral Home at 9:00 a.m. for an hour of visitation followed by a funeral procession to St. Christine Parish Church, 1295 Main Street in Marshfield, where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery in Scituate.
For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com