Neil Sweeney

1926 - 2025

Neil Sweeney
10/29/1926 - 11/30/2025
With profound love we share the passing of our father, Cornelius "Neil" Daniel Sweeney, native of San Francisco. Born October 29, 1926 to John and Margaret Sweeney, Neil is survived by his wife of 74 years, Beverly; 8 children Joseph (Theresa), Patrick (Michele), Anne (David), Matthew (Patricia), Elizabeth (Hugh), Timothy (Debbie), Frances (Jennifer), and Neil Daniel, Jr. (Jennifer); 21 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
Born Cornelius Daniel Sweeney, it wasn't too long before Cornelius dropped his cumbersome name and became simply "Neil." His Irish mother wasn't pleased, but she was the only one. Neil was the fourth son in a family of five boys, Timothy McSweeney (Marge), Joe McSweeney (Rita), Robert McSweeney (Margaret), and Bernard Sweeney (Gerian).
Raised in the Noe Valley/Outer Mission District of San Francisco, Neil attended St. Paul's Parish elementary and middle schools. His Irish immigrant parents raised their sons to become independent and self-sufficient. Neil attended Sacred Heart High School, and he took cable cars to get there, jumping on and off at will. When he was old enough, he went to work for his cousin's grocery store as a delivery driver. When they asked him if he knew how to drive, he promptly said, "Yes". Of course, he didn't know how to drive, but he learned on the job, driving up and down the steep cobblestone streets of San Francisco. In addition to a solid academic record, Neil was Student Body President and played football, his true joy.
After high school, Neil received a football scholarship to Saint Mary's College in Moraga, CA., a place which would go on to become a lifelong passion. His first awareness of the College was when he was 10 years old, 1936, when he saved a $10 Christmas gift to attend a summer sports camp. This was WWII, and most able-bodied men were in the service. Modestly, Dad always gave us the caveat that he made the team as a "give me" but it was more likely due to his own great determination and grit that he earned the scholarship. When he turned 18, he enlisted in the Navy, and was trained as a radioman. After the war, he returned to graduate from Saint Mary's in 1950, now with the advantage of having the GI bill.
In his senior year at Saint Mary's, he met Beverly Geraldine Teves of Hilo, Hawaii, who was literally the answer to his prayers. He often recalled praying in the Saint Mary's chapel every morning that God would bless him with a good life partner. Neil and Beverly, who was studying at Dominican College in San Rafael, met at a mixer in De La Salle Hall at Saint Mary's. It didn't take them long to realize that they belonged together even though Beverly had always thought she should be a nun! They were married in Beverly's parish, Saint Joseph's of Hilo, Hawaii on August 4, 1951.
Knowing from an early age he wanted to coach football and teach, Neil took a position at Amador High School in Pleasanton after being persuaded by his best friend at Saint Mary's, Tom Hart, to join him. He taught History, English, and even Home Ec., at Amador, where he also coached football, his true passion. It was 1951, and Pleasanton was still very rural, with less than 2500 people. Most of the valley consisted of dairies, ranches and farms. In fact, Neil and his brother Bernard began raising beef cattle on land they leased. There were many other ventures and side investments in real estate, but Neil raised cattle for most of his adult life. His children enjoyed many adventures at their Sunol, then Livermore, ranch property. One never knew when Neil would add a few more animals to his stock. Calves, goats, chickens, rabbits and sheep made their way as pets through the Pleasanton Angela Street home. We even had a few retired racehorses to ride in the early days, Nifty and Penny, as well as two very stubborn donkeys, Josephine and Napoleon.
Neil's career blossomed, and he became an administrator at Amador first as dean of students, then vice principal, and principal. He went on to develop and serve as Foothill High School's first principal in 1973, and then took various positions for the Pleasanton district, retiring as Deputy Superintendent in 1986. Too young to fully retire, Neil worked for the North Coast Section for the next five years, organizing athletic conference championships. A lifelong learner, Neil had many hobbies, including managing his rental properties, writing stories about his life, racquetball, swimming, and hiking. He especially loved getting out to hike the Pleasanton ridge. If he found a good swimming spot, this was probably his favorite thing to do; no matter how chilly the water he would jump right in, even without a swimsuit! A firm believer in education and lifting up others, Neil was a lifelong contributor to his parish, St. Augustine's, and to Saint Mary's College, where he served in many roles with the Alumni Board, as well as being a generous donor to numerous foundations and charities.
Neil's greatest passion was for his marriage and his family. Having just celebrated their 74th anniversary this past August, Neil and Beverly lived a life of genuine love and faith in each other and in their Catholic religion. Neil never missed mass, and even in recent years he watched it online. When we were kids, no matter where we were, Mom and Dad found out where the local Catholic service was being held and took us to mass. It could be on a camping trip in the mountains somewhere or in Hawaii at the beach, but we'd be there. Neil was not one to preach or judge. A man of strength and humility, his favorite prayer was the peace prayer of St. Francis, and Neil lived it, leading by example. Even the day before he died, he spoke of "always having a strong faith, making mistakes and getting back on the bicycle, and continuing on." Neil always stayed positive and grateful for his blessings.
His memory is a blessing, and his life is a legacy. He instilled in us a great faith, a sense of justice, and respect for all, as well as the importance of family and having fun. Picnics, reunions, backyard luaus and Sweeney Family Christmas celebrations were opportunities for the family to be together. Attending graduations, baptisms, weddings and as many school sporting competitions and presentations as possible became Neil and Bev's greatest joy, and another show of support. It is difficult to capture here the depth of significance of Neil's impact on hundreds of individuals, from students to colleagues to his large Irish-Portuguese clan, or his inimitable faith and goodwill. Today we raise a toast to his legacy– Slainte! Ain't life grand!
The family invites you to the vigil for Neil's passing on January 13 at 6 p.m. at Graham Hitch Mortuary, and the mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, January 14, 10 a.m., at St. Augustine's Church in Pleasanton. Condolences may be sent to the Sweeney Family, c/o Graham Hitch Mortuary, 4167 First Street, Pleasanton, CA 94566. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Neil and Beverly Sweeney Family Endowed Scholarship at Saint Mary's College, to continue Neil's commitment to education for future Gaels: stmarys-ca.edu/SweeneyEndowment or by check to Sweeney Family Scholarship, Advancement Office, Saint Mary's College, 1928 St. Mary's Road, PMB 4300, Moraga, CA 94575.