Can't believe you are gone 3 years.  May you rest in peace.

Judy and I were shocked to learn of John’s passing.  We will miss our conversations with him almost daily on our walks around the neighborhood over the past several years.  John was a sympathetic ear, and he had a quick wit.  We feel blessed to have had the chance to know John,  and we extend our deepest sympathies to MaryAnn and his family.

We had what one could call  a meet-cute with Mr. McNeill and DJ on one of our first walks around our new neighborhood when we moved to Cary.  Mr. McNeill was kind, welcoming, interested in what brings us here, even though we were complete strangers speaking with a strange accent. Afterwards we would see him walk  DJ often and we would always have a little conversation or at least exchange a smile. He was always smiling and funny and ready to chat and so loving to DJ, he even cared to come to our house to let us know that  our puppy Carla took the liberty of allowing herself an unsupervised walk on her own. That  was just a few weeks ago and Mr. McNeill didn’t let her go lost and came to make us aware. 
I know it’s not much, but I believe that one can recognize good people just from a brief encounter and for us -  new not only to the neighborhood but also to the country - he was one of the very first smiling and welcoming faces and our 8 year old son Leon felt that instantly and would  sometimes mention DJ’s owner (as at that time we didn’t even know MrMcNeil’s name).

We will keep him in our memories. 

Heartfelt condolences to the Family.


Maryann:

I am very sorry for your loss.  I enjoyed seeing you and John at St Mother Teresa Services at Green Hope HS over the years. Also, I enjoyed chatting and saying hello to you in the morning at the NW YMCA.  I miss those "good old" days".  

My family sends condolences to your family during this challenging time.
Sincerely,

Tim, LuAnne, Jack, Jayson and Jossie DeSantis

Dear Mary Ann,

It’s still shocking and sad to realize that John is not with us anymore. He was one of the neighbors who first welcomed us when we moved to the neighborhood twenty years ago. Over the years, our friendship grew and he was also the neighbor that we had the most conversations with. His gentle and caring personality, sharp mind, and wonderful sense of humor made every conversation funny and pleasant. Not only was John our favorite, but he was also our dog Mollie’s favorite. His never ending supply of treats for Mollie will be missed. May he rest in peace and may you find joy and love in his memory. 

With love,
Xinglin and Aijun

My sweet friend, 
Your loss is tremendous and so very individual. Your connection with John is so beautiful and you have so many wonderful memories to reflect upon and smile about... One of my personal favorite memories is of John attending a 4th of July Zumba class with you ❣️ We had so much fun  and it was pure joy to watch you together ❤️
I love you and appreciate your example of unconditional love and Christ-centered partnership with your beloved John.
In Him,
Angie

Mary Ann and family,
I am still so shocked and saddened to hear about John's passing. It's impossible to think that someone filled with such life, so quick witted, could be gone.  John and Mary Ann have become such dear friends to my parents over the last few decades. They've brought fun, energy, and friendship through good times and bad. John was such a support to my mom after my dad passed. We are forever grateful for his steady guidance. Mary Ann and John will continue to be such an inspiration for how to walk through life making the most of every day (Take that trip! go to that baseball game!), help the ones we love most, and not take any of it for granted. Rest in peace, John, and know that you've impacted so many. Mary Ann, we're here for you always.

MaryAnn,

So sorry to hear of John’s passing. Thinking of you during this time and wanted to express my deepest condolences. I will certainly be praying for you. God Bless. Take care

Mary Ann - we are heartbroken.   John will be missed so much,  it was always a comfort & joy to see him walking DJ and having great conversations with him.   We will miss him dearly,  may his memory be eternal.   I'm sure he is at peace in heaven!

With Love & Sadness

Don & Stefani McEnteer

MaryAnn... We are heartbroken to hear the news about John! He was the first person we met years ago when we moved into Riggsbee...He was so kind and always sported the most wonderful smile! We cannot imagine the pain you are going through! May his soul Rest In Peace knowing how much he is loved and will be missed by all the people around him!

Mary Ann,
Don and I are so very sorry for your loss. John was such an integral part of the Riggsbee Farm community for so many years. It won’t be the same without him. He will be sorely missed by everyone in this community, people & dogs alike. Let us know if you ever need anything, no matter how small or large the request.

Laurie Bowser-Sever
Don Sever
Sammi & Megan Sever

MaryAnn! We are heartbroken to hear the news about our dearest friend John! Words cannot express the affection we have received from your family and we will truly miss John! May his soul Rest In Peace knowing how much he is loved and the difference he made to people around him🙏🙏

Dear Mary Ann,

Please accept our condolences for your loss!!! May John’s Soul Rest In Peace and May God give you  and your family the strength to face this difficult situation. We will keep you in our Prayers 

Manisha Bagade
107 Rattle Snap Ct
Riggsbee Farm 

Dear Mary Ann,

We have never been introduced . We live in your neighborhood. John was one of the friendliest people in the neighborhood, we knew him as DJ's dad, my daughter looked forward to meeting him in the bus stop to pet DJ and offer him the carrots John carried .
Throughout elementary school the kids in the bus stop had fun thanks to him.He also would connect with all of us when we were in our yard or walking.
Walking in the neighborhood is not going to be the same without him.
Deepest sympathies and condolences.
-Anu


Dear Mary Ann,

Although we've never spoken, I feel like I know you through my conversations with John.  His love for you shone brightly in every single chat we had.  Reconnecting with John after 20 years and working together for the past year was the only bright spot in 2020.  He gave life to the phrase  'a gentleman and a scholar.'  He will be sorely missed, and know that people across the country and around the world will share in your sorrow.

Michael Scheer
Los Angeles California.

Well,  this just stinks, another friend gone way too soon.  No more catch up lunch with John, laughing till I can't see through the tears any more.  I'll miss his razor wit, quick mind and just seeing his posts on social media.  RIP John. 

Dear Mary Ann,
We are deeply saddened to hear about John passing away. There are very few people who leave an impact in our lives. John was one of them. He had such an amazing personality; friendly, cheerful, and kindhearted. He had a way with people. We looked forward to seeing him every day with DJ in the community. DJ loves to sit on our lawn, and he is one of the reasons why we decided to get our puppy, Arya. Arya has found a friend in DJ 😊. You can see John’s friendly nature in DJ. John took the time to greet people and talk to them. When my son needed advice, he guided him and shared his number with him. Few years back our daughter had a lemonade stand in summer. John stopped by and encouraged her. DJ enjoyed the lemonade, and my daughter cherishes the photo with both of them. A neighborhood is just not about houses and trees. It is people like John that make the difference. We feel truly blessed to have known John. Please let us know if we can be of any help to you, Mary Ann.

Your friends,
Aparna, Rajesh, Rohan, Anika & Arya
210 Oxcroft

Mary Ann, 

So sorry to hear of John’s passing.  Sean and I were just talking/thinking about you both on Sunday.  How we missed not spending Super Bowl with you all. I am going to miss talking baseball with him and of course seeing him and DJ around the neighborhood.  May he Rest In Peace. 

MaryAnn, Beth and I are so sorry  to learn of John's passing.  I always enjoyed chatting with John and continuing the  Red Sox-Yankees rivalry  with him whenever I met John and DJ during their walks around the neighborhood.  He was a very good man who will be missed by all.  Please let us know if we can do anything to help, such as walking  DJ, which I am happy to do whenever I can.  God Bless you.     Paul and Beth Toland 

I'll miss John walking the neighborhood with his dog.  We spent many a morning walking and talking.  He had a great sense of humor and a caring heart.  Mary Ann, I am so sorry for your loss.  He had the care and hope of Christ in him so I'm sure he's resting well.

John was such a wonderful colleague, friend, and advisor in the years we worked together. A talented, thoughtful, terrifically skilled lawyer, he also was a witty, fun co-worker who could ease the tensions of the day with just quick wave from down the hall. How blessed we are to have known him. Love and deepest sympathies, Maryann.

Mary Ann,

Nancy and I are deeply saddened to hear of John’s passing.  I very much enjoyed working with John many years ago at Womble, and always appreciated his attention to staff and his service to clients.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your extended family as you deal with this profound loss.

Wishing you God’s comfort and peace,

Christopher & Nancy Bolen

Maryanne, I am so sorry to hear about John's passing. I really enjoyed working with him during his time at Womble Carlyle. He was  a fine man. Please know that I am thinking of you during this difficult time. 

Ken. 

We have not seen you in a while John  but you are loved and missed.Maryanne my deepest condolences to you.  Love aunt Mary burke.

It is so hard to believe someone with so much life left us.  A few weeks ago I was walking my dog Jack and run into DJ and John.  I told John, "Jack can't play with DJ because he was having a flea issue."  John asked without missing a beat "Are you sure it was just one issue?"  That made me laugh.  I will forever remember John with sparks in his eyes.  Rest in peace my friend. 

OBITUARY

John Patrick McNeill

October 14, 1955 – February 5, 2021

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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