Neil S. Wheelwright

Neil S. Wheelwright of Norwell, MA, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on May 3, 2023, at the age of 90.

Beloved husband of Virginia (Vaill) Wheelwright for 68 years, and loving father of Neil of Burlington, Vermont; Greg of Boulder, Colorado; and Ann of Cohasset, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gardiner Wheelwright and Lillian (Sweetland) Wheelwright, and brothers Dale Wheelwright and Hugh Wheelwright. He will be missed by friends and his large extended family.

Neil was born and raised in Danvers, MA. A 1954 graduate of Springfield College, he was a starting linebacker on the football team as a sophomore and junior. A back injury prematurely ended his playing career and he moved to coaching and served as an assistant his senior year at Springfield.

Neil served as a Lieutenant in the United States Marines for three years. A physical education major in college, he was assigned to develop a new standardized physical conditioning program for recruits at Parris Island. The new program started in June 1956 and included strength testing, running, and daily physical training, and was successful in developing teamwork in addition to physical conditioning.

Following his service, he coached college football for 24 years. Neil joined the Hofstra University coaching staff in 1957 as an end coach and moved to head defense coach two years later. The 1959 team finished the season undefeated and was inducted into the Hofstra Hall of Fame. He moved to Colgate University as an assistant in 1962.

Neil served as the head football coach at Colgate from 1968 to 1975. He became the first head coach in the East to install the wishbone offense, and Colgate averaged over 300 yards rushing per game in 1971. Three of the Colgate teams ranked among the top 20 nationally in rushing and total offense. Neil served as the Head Coach at the College of the Holy Cross from 1976 to 1980.

Following his coaching career, he was one of the top salesmen nationally with Xerox, an executive with several technology companies, and retired as Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Geographic Data Technology, Inc.

After his retirement, he spent winters in Carmel, California. He was an avid reader and devoted extensive time to studying civil war history. Neil and Virginia loved to travel and attend college football games.

Services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Neil can be made to the NVNA and Hospice, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061.