Obituary of James H. Neil

James H. Neil, 80, of West Peabody, died Tuesday, May 8, 2012 peacefully with his family at his side after a long illness. He was the loving husband of Flossie (Boynton) Neil with whom he shared 54 years of marriage. He was born in Montserrat, West Indies on August 15, 1931, the son of the late Joseph and Grace (White) Neil and was raised in Boston, MA. He graduated from Boston English High School in 1948. James had a love of music and a talent for the piano. He attended the former Schillinger House now known as the Berklee College of Music. In 1951, he was drafted in the U.S. Army and served in combat in the Korean War with the 25th Division Military Police prior to his discharge in 1954. He then returned to Berklee College of Music continuing his music education. James joined the US Postal Service in 1955 and served 36 years before retiring as a manager in 1991. His duel career in music and the Postal Service kept him very active. His passion was jazz music and in the sixties, he formed a trio known as the “The Keynotes” that played throughout New England. James was an active member for many years at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Peabody. James is survived by his wife, Flossie, a daughter, Jennifer Neil of Peabody, a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Libby Neil of Exeter, NH, his two grandchildren, Raye and Adam Neil of Exeter, NH, his Aunt Sarah Cooke of Mattapan, family friend Rowan Spencer, two nieces and a nephew. He was the brother of the late William White. A visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. His funeral will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 AM from the Funeral Home followed by Services in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 12 Washington St., Peabody at 11:00 AM. Burial will be in Puritan Lawn Memorial, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Memorial Fund, 12 Washington St., Peabody, MA 01960 in his memory.