Neil E. Bantly

1930 - 2016

Neil Edward Bantly (1930 to 2016), age 85, died peacefully on April 1 at his home in Orleans, MA. He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Janet (Gebauer) Bantly. He was a wonderful husband, father grandfather and friend. He adored his two daughters and loved spending time with them and the rest of his family. In his later years. Neil enjoyed playing with and having his precious dog Beau sleeping on his lap. Neil was born and raised in Glastonbury, Connecticut and attended local schools there. He received a BA degree in English from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1952 and served with the Eighth Army Headquarters in Seoul, Korea from 1953 to 1954. While there he had the opportunity to teach English to high school students. He joined the Stanley Works (Stanley Tools) in 1955 and was employed there for 36 years. He spent most of his career at Stanley in Purchas-ing traveling throughout the Far East seeking sources for procurement. For over 20 years he negotiated major agreements and contracts with the Chinese, Japanese and Korean manufacturers. In 1990 he was appointed Director, Stanley Buying Services Asia/Pacific. He established an office in Taipei (Taiwan) and lived there for two years. In 1991 he received Stanleys Best Year Ever Citation. He developed a deep personal interest and extensive knowledge of Far Eastern cultural characteristics and for many years he addressed classes at the Hartford Graduate Center, Central Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut on the subject of International Negotiation and Far Eastern Cultures. During his career Neil served as a Director of the Connecticut Association of Purchasing Managers, Director of the Ohio Wesleyan University Alumni Board and Chairman of the Boards Chapter Organization and Development Committee. He was also a Director of the Connecticut Fly Fishermans Association, a member of the Inter-community Mental Health Membership Committee and the Visiting Nurse Association. While living in Connecticut he trained and raced Homing Pigeons and won numerous races. He also owned a number of harness racing ponies and competed in sulky racing. But he especially loved fly fishing and took many trips to Montana and Wyoming to fly fish. Following retirement in 1992, Neil and Janet moved to Cape Cod. Neil was an active volunteer at the Brewster Ladies Library where he served as President of the Association Board of Directors for five years and created the Brewster Ladies Library Endowment Fund. He was an avid reader. In 2003 he received the Augusta Mayo Award for leadership at the Library. A self-taught stained glass craftsman, he designed and created many stained glass pieces and in 2004 made six book-themed windows for the Brewster Ladies Library. He also enjoyed writing short stories and was active in a book discussion group. Neil and Janet were active members of the Nauset Newcomers and were former members of the Orleans Yacht Club. Besides his wife, survivors include two daughters and their spouses: Leigh Billingsley and husband Roger, Amy Stansfield and husband Ed, three grandchildren, Roger Billingsley and wife Amy, Brooke Billingsley, Sheldon Stansfield and a brother Anthony Bantly and his wife Laura. He was predeceased by another brother Harold Bantly. A celebration of Neils life will be held on May 7 at 11 am at Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main Street, Brewster, MA Burial will be private. We would like to thank Dr. Theodore Herwig, the VNA Hospice Nurses, and our Visiting Angel Jim for their support and care during the past few months. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made to the VNA of Cape Cod | Hospice, 434 Route134, Suite D3, South Dennis, MA 02660 For online condolences please visit: www.nickersonfunerals.com