Larry M. McNeil Sr.

1945 - 2025

Larry M. McNeil, Sr., went to heaven peacefully to be with our Lord and his family on July 15, 2025.

Larry was born on July 19, 1945 in Lowville, NY to John H. and Mary (Mattimore) McNeil.

He went to grade school on Elmer Hill Rd in Lake Delta, NY, Columbus School, Town of Lee School (one-room schoolhouse on Rt. 69, Lee, NY), Staley Jr. High School, Rome, NY and graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1963.

After graduation, Larry enlisted into the US Naval Sea Bees, 1966-1969, where he served two tours in Vietnam.

In 1968, Larry married Mary Evans at St. Patrick's Church in Taberg, NY. They had three children;

first Kelly, then Larry Jr., and then John.

Throughout his life, Larry worked as a carpenter at the Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego, NY from the 1970's to the mid 1980's, and then at NYS Department of Corrections, where he worked as a correctional officer at Fishkill and then Oneida Correctional Facility from 1988 until his retirement in 2007.

Larry grew up on a horse ranch with his parents and brothers and sisters, Martha, Cassie, Bill and Jack. Being around horses and horse shows was a big part of his younger years. Over the years, Larry also enjoyed sailing, playing guitar, dancing, riding his motorcycle, and watching car racing in Daytona. He was known for his amazing carpentry skills, and he built the home that he and Mary and his children lived in, in Taberg, as well as many other homes in the Central New York area. He most recently loved spending time with his son John, using the saw mill he owned in Georgia.

Larry was a devout Catholic and Christian. He was kind and caring, and his laugh was one you loved to hear, because it was so genuine.

Larry leaves behind until eternity, his children: Kelly, Larry Jr., and John, siblings: his sister Martha West, and his brothers Bill McNeil and Jack (Carol) McNeil, his grandchildren: Adam, Eric, Jimmy, Tommy, his great-grandchildren: Alayna, Adam Jr., Eric, Lucas, and Cole, Mary Evans McNeil, his ex-wife, and Diana Lee McNeil, his ex-wife, other loved family and friends, and his dog, Ginger, all of whom will miss him tremendously.

Larry was predeceased by his parents John H. and Mary (Mattimore) McNeil, his sister Cassie (Randy) Taylor, his granddaughter Mary Christine McNeil, and other family and friends that he loved.

Larry used to sing to his kids when they were little when the local field days came around, "Happy Days Are Here Again." Our faith teaches us that Happy Days Will Be Here Again!

Memorial Mass will be held at St. Peter's Church, 200 N. James St., Rome NY 13440, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Interment with military honors will be held at Lee State Road Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George, Rome NY 13440. You may read the obituary and send a message of sympathy at www.nunnandharper.com.