Obituaries
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Show Obituaries Show Guestbook Show Photos QR Code PrintEugene S. Neel, Jr.
January 1, 1970 - June 16, 2003
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Holliston- Eugene S (Gene) Neel, Jr. of Holliston, MA and formerly of Hanover, PA, tragically passed away on Monday 16 June 2003, while undergoing a relatively common angioplasty procedure.
Gene was born in York, PA on 14 November 1944 and raised in Hanover ,PA by his parents Eugene S Neel, Sr. and the late Mary Jane (Keller) Neel. Gene attended Eichelberger Sr. High School and Dickinson University prior to enlisting in the United States Army. While in the service Gene completed Aviation Maintenance training, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant following completion of Officers Candidate School, and following in his fathers footsteps, attended flight school, subsequently receiving his Wings as a United States Army Aviator. During his military career Gene served two tours in the Republic of Vietnam as an Army Aviator and also served as a Flight Commander at the Army’s Rotary Wing Flight Training School in Mineral Wells, TX.
While serving in the Republic of Vietnam, Gene
participated in the recapture of the American Embassy in Saigon, on February 26th 1968 by landing troops from the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) on the Embassy roof during the height of the 1968 Tet offensive.
For his exceptional service in combat, Gene was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with V Device, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart for wounds received, and over 40 Oak Leaf Clusters.
After attaining the rank of Captain, Gene left the service while stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas to further his education. He subsequently obtained an Engineering Degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and went on to carve out a second distinguished career in engineering as a Senior Partner with Nielson’s, Inc. of Cortez, Colorado, and currently as a Senior Engineer with the firm of Peter Kiewit in Boston, MA.
Gene is survived by his Father, Eugene S. Neel Sr., his wife Jackie (Hartman) Neel, daughters; Leslie Little and Shelly Belcher, sons; Chris, Travis, and Justin; Grandson Coby Little, Granddaughter Sophia, brother Tom Neel and sister Suzanne (Neel) Neil.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service will be held Saturday, June 28 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, Highland St., Holliston. A reception will follow at the church.
Memorial services in Hanover, PA were held Sunday, June 22. Internment took place at Salem United Church Cemetery in Dover PA.
Donations in Gene’s name may be made to the Dollores State Bank, Eugene F. Neel, Jr. Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 848, Dollores, CO 81323
Arrangements are under the direction of the Chesmore Funeral Home, 854 Washington St., Holliston, MA