Capt. Richard Edward McNeely's Obituary
Captain Richard E. McNeely, retired ship pilot and Master Mariner, died Wednesday, December 30, 2015. He was the son of Capt. Samuel S. and Edith J. Price McNeely. He was born in New Orleans (Algiers) Thursday, December 27, 1923.
Richard was the brother of Simon A. McNeely (deceased), Samuel S. McNeely, Jr. (deceased), Bernice Manske (deceased), and Deldon A. McNeely. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marigold (Margot) Bostock-Wilson McNeely and their children, Linda C., Kevin J. (Arthemise), Kerry N. and Timothy P. McNeely. He also leaves 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Richard graduated from Jesuit High (’40), attended L.S.U. and began his sea career during WWII in 1942. He graduated from the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1943 and served as a bridge officer with various shipping lines, joining Lykes Bros. S.S. Co. in 1945 with which company he sailed and worked ashore until 1950 when he was elected into the Crescent River Port Pilots Association. Richard was president of that association from 1962-1966. He was also president of the U. S. Propeller Club of N.O. from 1965-1966, and founder and president of the Louisiana Maritime Museum. While president of the pilots he piloted the first ship, S. S. Del Sud, out of the M.R.G.O., as well as the largest, deepest ship at that time, S. S. Manhattan, 106,000 tons, 40 foot draft down the river, and also piloted the first submarine dive in the harbor during Mardi Gras season.
He and Margot moved to Covington in 1976 and he retired at the end of 1987.
Richard was a long-time member of the N.O.A.C., Pete Fountain’s Walking Club and the Council of American Master Mariners.
In 1993 he was awarded the Merchant Marine Academy’s “Outstanding Professional Achievement Award.”
Services will be private. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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