Thomas M. MacNeil: Purple Heart Recipient, Past Commander of Woonsocket DAV

Thomas M. MacNeil, 83, of Eagle Peak Rd., Pascoag, formerly of Prospect St., Manville, died Saturday afternoon at Overlook Nursing Home in Pascoag, according to Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home.

He was the husband of the late Simonne A. (Poirier) MacNeil.

Born in Manville, he was a son of the late Joseph and Christina (Cox) MacNeil. He was a resident of Manville for most of his life having moved to Pascoag in 2005.

Mr. MacNeil was a veteran of the U. S. Army, serving from 1949 to 1953, and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was Combat Wounded and received the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal and two Purple Hearts.

Mr. MacNeil was employed by Raytheon for over 30 years until retiring in 1991.

Throughout his lifetime Tom devoted himself to veterans organizations. Whether attending meetings and reunions, participating in parades or functions, or sharing camaraderie among his fellow veterans and friends, Tom never missed an opportunity to demonstrate his support for those who served our country. His membership and leadership includes serving as the Past Commander of the Woonsocket Disabled American Veterans Chapter 12, Past Commander of the RI Association of Purple Heart Veterans Chapter 1812, Member of the Alphonse Yelle Post 9 of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1023, Korean War Veterans of America Chapter 1, Franco-American War Veterans Post 15, and the 1st Calvary Division Association.

Tom enjoyed spending time with his family, bird watching and being with his faithful canine companion Pedro. He was a staunch Red Sox fan, an amateur ham radio operator, and had an artistic side to him as evidenced in his freestyle drawings.

He is survived by a son Michael G. MacNeil, and his wife Christine, of Millville, a daughter Linda M. Haczynski, and her husband John, of Woonsocket, four grandchildren Shannon Dean, Lauren Grier, Jeffery Haczynski and was especially close to his “Buddy" Joshua MacNeil, and a great-grand son Connor Grier. He was the brother of the late Francis MacNeil. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

His funeral was this morning at 9 a.m. from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 71 Central St., Manville followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am in St. Joseph’s Church, Sayles Ave. Pascoag. Burial with Military Honors will follow in St. James Cemetery, Manville.  

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Pl. Memphis, TN 38105 or the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 17 Court St. Boston, MA. 02108.