Leonard “Len” R. McNelly, 95, of
Reading and Newburyport, husband of the late Thelma E. (Pauline)
McNelly, died peacefully Monday March 9, 2009 in the Masconomet
Healthcare Nursing Center of Topsfield.
Born in Malden May 16, 1913, son
of the late Harry and Elizabeth (Raliegh) McNelly, he attended
Malden High School and received his Law Degree from Northeastern
University in Boston. During World War II he served in the
Philippines with the U.S. Army 380th Bomb Group.
During his down time he enjoyed his "R&R" in Australia.
Following his Honorable Discharge
and his return home, he entered the Surety Bond Insurance field
in Boston. He worked with various Insurance Companies and in
1959 started his own Insurance Agency in Boston.. Lee McNelly,
his son, joined him in 1969, forming the McNelly & Parker
Insurance Agency of Reading, where father and son worked
together until Len’s retirement in 1987.
Len loved music, playing the piano
and entertaining friends with his wife Teddy. They traveled to
Florida frequently, enjoying a home in Pompano Beach for several
years. Len shared his enthusiasm for golf with Lee, even
watching it on television the day before his death. He loved his
grandchildren and family, truly relishing their many visits over
the years. His twinkling blue eyes and sense of humor will be
missed by all who knew him.
In addition to his son Lee and his
wife Nancy of Ipswich, he is survived by three grandchildren,
Kristen Barger and her husband Rob of California, Kevin McNelly
of Winthrop and Katelyn McNelly of Peabody. He was predeceased
by a brother, Merle H. McNelly formerly of California.
Family and friends are
respectfully welcomed to visiting hours Thursday, March 12, from
5 to 8 pm in the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home, 6 High Street,
Ipswich.
Interment with Army Honors in the
Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody, will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made to The Home Health VNA, 360 Merrimac Street, Building 9,
Lawrence, MA 01843 and, or, Elder Services of the Merrimac
Valley, Inc., Development Office, 360 Merrimac Street, Lawrence,
MA 01843-1740.
