James C. McNeil

Depending on the company he was in he was called by many names including Mac, Craig, and Jim.

He particularly loved staying at his Loon Lake home during the summer months and earned yet another nickname — “Rockman” because of his constant salvaging for the “perfect” large rock to complete the many rock projects around his home. Neighbors often sought him out for his expertise in selecting rocks for their projects as well. His original yellow Can Am known as the “bumblebee” was well known and often seen around the lake.

Jim served in the USAF and was stationed at the SAC base in Plattsburgh during which time he met his future wife Nora. He was part of the maintenance crew of the Atlas missile site in Sugarbush. Most of Jim’s career was spent as a retail and district store manager for WT Grants, Jamesway, and Ames stores. At each store he often selected a younger employee to mentor and guide.

James was predeceased by his parents, an older brother John of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and an older sister Shirley Gearhart of Lansing, Michigan.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years Nora Mooney McNeil; daughter Sue and husband Eric Haelsig of Brick, New Jersey; daughter Lisa and husband Keith Neilson and granddaughters Sophie and Abigail of Edinburgh, Scotland. Jim is also survived by his three sisters: Connie and husband Jim Brubaker of Ridgeway, Pennsylvania; Joan Christy of De Soto Texas; and Marj McNeil of Evans, Georgia. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and in-laws.

There will be no public calling hours. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to one of the following charities in his name: Special Olympics, Diabetes Association, or the ALS Association. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.