Obituary for John S MacNeill
Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Cortland, New York

"John S. MacNeill Jr. passed away on January 19, 2010, at Cortland Regional Medical Center just five days short of his 83rd birthday. During his last years, he persevered through increasing complications of diabetes.
  He was born on January 24, 1927, in Weehawken, New Jersey, the son of John S. MacNeill Sr. and Margaret Stalee MacNeill. After attending a number of different schools growing up, he graduated from Homer Academy in 1944.
  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served his tour of duty during the remaining months of World War II in the Pacific theater.
  Following the war, he earned a bachelors degree in civil engineering from Cornell University in 1950 and married the girl next door, Elizabeth Betty Hazzard.
  After living and working in several locations throughout New York State, John and his growing family settled in Homer. He then started his own engineering and surveying firm and subsequently joined a number of professional organizations.
  Participation in Cortland Rotary Club led to many rewarding years working with international exchange students, who knew him affectionately as Papa John. He and his wife, Betty, traveled all around the world visiting former exchange students and their families. 
  John was proud of his Scottish heritage and took pleasure in being a member of the Mohawk Valley Frasers Bagpipe Band for many years, along with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
  John is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Elizabeth Hazzard MacNeill, their son, Allen (Leah) MacNeill of Ithaca; their daughters, Billie MacNeill of Homer and Claudia (Jerome) Caretti of Morrisville; a brother, Robert (Sue) MacNeill of Walton; a sister-in-law, Joyce MacNeill of Homer; ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Arthur MacNeill, of Homer."