Milt Quan called about noon from Fresno on Christmas Eve with the news that our lifelong friend Neil MacPhail had died. A few hours earlier. In the hospital. It was the day he was scheduled to go home and to begin dialysis. To get strong enough to go to his beloved second home in Hawaii.
Neil – from the Independent Journal, San Rafael, CA c. 1953
Neil — my first boyfriend.
Neil — we met in 8th grade and walked to San Rafael High School together every single morning, Sept. 1949 – June 1953.
Neil — we were both in journalism, were editors of the Red ‘N’ White.
Neil — the best dancer, in our class; the best dancer EVER.
Neil — on the Senior Ski Trip, he could have made his move. But no. Neither of us realized why until years later.
Neil — in the ballroom of the Mark Hopkins the dancers cleared the floor for us and the band played polka after polka — just for us!
Neil — went to Stanford, as did I – he to major in education, me in journalism.
Neil — came to my first wedding; came to meet baby Charlie; was never far away, yet gradually our lives diverged.
Neil — stayed in touch, met for gatherings with the “old SRHS group,” hosted us in Hawaii and on a cruise, gave us a gazillion books from his brother Jack’s estate for the Bookvendor, visited us in Oysterville, hosted us in San Francisco.
Neil — the brightest, funniest, most generous, self-effacing person I’ve ever known.
Neil and Nyel aboard the Norwegian Pearl, April 2014
We talked on Thursday, the week before Christmas. He was not looking forward to beginning dialysis the next week but if it could get him to his beloved second home in Hawaii by February, he was game. He was scheduled to be feted at a luncheon Fairmont Hotel the next day for his contributions to Helping Hands. I don’t know if that happened. That was the day he was admitted to the hospital for a little “tune-up” but things went terribly wrong. Milt, the only one left (besides me) of our “group,” called to tell me…
I’m not sure how life will be from now on. Without Neil. For 72 of my 85 years, he was always somewhere nearby. Neil MacPhail, I will love you and miss you always.
So sorry Sydney. May you always have his memories and know
He is watching over your shoulder?
Was Neil related to Roseanne MacPhail’s family, I wonder such a different last name – She lives on our peninsula! Debbie
Sydney, that is the most lovely tribute to our dear Neil. We really did hope he would recover one more time, but not this time. His eyes would always light up when he spoke of you and the old gang, I’m so glad he was able to visit with Milt and Anita the other day. And yes he did make that party on the 9th and got a standing ovation. Thank you for the beautiful words. Carole and Bruce MacPhail
Hi Sydney, trying to get in touch with you. I’m a computer novice. We are having a memorial luncheon for Neil on May 28 here in San Rafael, we would love it if you could attend however Milt said there are health issues. Please get in touch with me as we would so love to have you be a part of our tribute. If it is not possible to see you could I possibly read your lovely tribute that you wrote about him last December. Stay well, Carole