MACNEIL

John J. MacNeil, 73, of Norwood, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loving family at Brigham and Women's Hospital on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Born in Waltham, raised in Wellesley, he was one of eight in a close knit family. John was a 1971 graduate of Wellesley High School. He began working for his father at a young age, eventually becoming the proud owner of the business his father had started in 1951, MacNeil Glass Company in Natick. He ran the company successfully for more than 30 years as a well respected member of the community. John was a past member of the Massachusetts Glass Dealers Association and the Wellesley Rotary Club.

In his younger years John was an avid bowler which led to him meeting his beloved wife Marie (Foley) MacNeil of 31 years. John enjoyed living every day to its fullest. He loved cruising the roads of New England on his Harley with his buddies, doing a puzzle at the kitchen table with friends, being the grill master at family gatherings, and trying his luck at the casino. Above all, John cherished time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

John was the devoted husband of Marie, and loving father of Kristen MacNeil of Norwood, Nicholas Gagnon and his wife Christine of Andover, Jeanne Peihl and her husband Nicholas of Grafton, and Eric MacNeil, his wife Jennifer and granddaughter Sloane of New York. John was the proud Papa of his adored grandchildren, Thatcher and Adeline Gagnon.

He is survived by his siblings Margaret Cormier and her husband John, his twin sister Elizabeth Bowen and her husband William, Marilyn Barrows and her husband Harold, Michael MacNeil and his wife Marty, David MacNeil and his wife Charlene. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his loving parents Leo J.J. MacNeil and Verna L. (Curtis), his brothers James and Robert MacNeil, and his twin sons Matthew and Timothy.

Special thanks to the nurses and doctors at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Surgical Trauma ICU for their compassionate care, kindness, and support.

Funeral Arrangements were made in the care of the Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole Street, Norwood. A Funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Norwood on Wednesday April 22nd. Interment was at Highland Cemetery, Norwood.