Gordon F. McNeil, Jr.

Gordon F. McNeil, Jr., 87, of North Haven, passed away on December 3, 2025. Born in Bangor, Maine June 14, 1938, he served as an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church in Portland before moving to New Haven with his family at a young age and graduating from St. John Evangelical School. In his younger years, he worked part-time for the North Branford Parks & Rec. Department refereeing youth basketball games. He was in the printing trade as the former owner of Cornerstone Printing in Newtown. He was a member of the Second Co. Governor’s Horse Guard of Newtown for over 30 years, retiring with the rank of Major. He rode in many local parades, usually on his beloved horse Socks. His rapport with horses was unmatched. He truly was the “Horse Whisperer.” With the Horse Guard he participated in parades in Ireland in 1985, and the military parade on July 14, 1988 in Bastille, France.

He leaves behind his beloved daughter, Doreen C. McNeil; his former wife, Bernice McNeil; sisters-in-law, Laurie McNeil and Jackie Carlson; and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his father, Gordon F. McNeil, Sr.; mother, Madeline Cunningham McNeil; brother, John W. McNeil; and sisters, Judy Briggs and Nancy McNeil.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with Gordon’s family on Saturday, December 6th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. A funeral service celebrating his life will begin at 10:30 in the funeral home, followed by burial in Centerville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gordon’s memory may be made to Where the Love Is Animal Rescue, P.O. Box 185093, Hamden, CT 06518, www.wheretheloveis.org, or to All the King’s Horses Equine Rescue, 630 Forest Rd., Northford, CT 06472, www.allthekingshorsesequinerescue.com. To send condolences to his family, please see www.beecherandbennett.com.