Robert Sylvester McNeill

Robert Sylvester McNeill, age 86, passed away on Thursday, December 4th, 2025 at home in East Randolph, VT. 

Bob was born on July 16, 1939 in his family home in Mystic, CT to Eleanor Rattigan McNeill and Sylvester McNeill. He met his wife Beverly Burbine in high school. They were married for 65 years.

Bob graduated from Fitch High School and spent his career at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, CT. He retired at age 55 as a Quality Assurance supervisor. A few years after retirement, he and Bev moved to East Randolph, VT and spent winters in Ft. Myers, FL. 

During his retirement years, Bob took great pleasure in driving for L.W. Greenwoods, delivering farm equipment. He enjoyed traveling the backroads and connecting with farmers. 

Bob was involved with horses his entire life. He attended the Oklahoma Farrier College in 1966. At home, he enjoyed farming, hunting and was a member of the Randolph Fish & Game Club and the Northfield Beagle Club. Bob also took pleasure in reading books about US history and any local newspapers from towns throughout New England. 

Bob loved spending time in Maine at the cabin that he and Bev built with family and friends. It will always be a special place for the family to gather, share stories, make memories, and celebrate Bob. 

If you knew Bob, you knew how much he loved his family. In addition to his wife Beverly, Bob is survived by their two children, Susan McNeill and Donna (Steve) Wyatt. He adored his granddaughters Lindsey, Elise (Mark) and Colleen. Days before Bob passed, he met his 4-day-old great-granddaughter Lena. 

He is also survived by his brother Charles McNeill of Westerly, RI, along with many special nieces and nephews. Bob was predeceased by his parents and four sisters: Marguerite Sheflott, Elizabeth Lamb, Claire Russell, and Frances Gillen. 

Our family would like to express our deep appreciation to family and friends who were supportive with visits, cards and many long telephone calls, which Bob always enjoyed. We appreciate the care and support provided by Bob's doctor of nearly 30 years Dr. Kenneth Borie, the caring staff with Bayada Hospice, Gifford Medical Center and White River Valley Ambulance. 

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Littleton. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

For those who wish, contributions in Bob's memory may be made to CT Animal House Rescue online or sent to PO Box 343, Waterford, CT 06385, or made to White River Valley Ambulance, Attn: office, 3190 Pleasant Street, Bethel, VT 05032.

To view Bob's Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit https://csnh.com.