William C. "Niel" Cannon II

William C. Cannon II, 79, of Concord, New Hampshire, died on September 12, 2025. Niel was born in Washington DC on October 6, 1945, to Marian Hamilton and J. Dormer Cannon. He spent his childhood in New York City and Lakeville, Connecticut. He attended St. David’s School in New York City, Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island, Johns Hopkins University, and later earned a master's degree at American University.

While at Johns Hopkins, Niel met the love of his life Jean Lyon of Baltimore. They married and spent the next 40 fulfilling years together, mostly in Concord, while raising three kids. Niel lost his beloved Jean in 2008.

After working for a short time in Washington DC, Niel worked for the US Economic Administration in Philadelphia. Niel and Jean moved to Concord, New Hampshire in 1976 and Niel became the Economic Development Representative serving New Hampshire and Vermont. He enjoyed meeting residents throughout the Northeast and was committed to finding economic development opportunities for underserved communities. In 1991, Niel was appointed Executive Director for the Capital Regional Development Council, where he oversaw the growth of the organization, as it became a leader in economic development both locally and statewide. One of the projects he was most proud of was the development of Concord Lumber into the Corporate Center at Horseshoe Pond.

Niel was a member of the Concord Country Club for 45 years. His golf crew brought him so much joy, even when he had a bad round. He was also a Friend of Bill (a member of AA). The recovery community was the center of Niel's life until the day he died. This is where he found strength, purpose and a spiritual connection. He looked forward to seeing his fellow members daily. They were by his side the day he died.

In 2011, Niel reconnected with his old friend and colleague Dolores Jordan, from Philadelphia, and they married in 2012. They had many wonderful adventures together, and Niel loved adding three new daughters and five new grandkids to his life.

He cherished spending time with his grandchildren – cheering them on at lacrosse games, cross-country races, finding the best lobster rolls on the seacoast and having Sunday breakfasts with little Harper.

He is survived by his children Jenifer Cannon, Will (Becky) Cannon and Conor Cannon; his grandchildren Henry, Oliver, Eliza and Harper; his wife Dolores Jordan, and her daughters Elizabeth, Kieran and Cathleen; his brother John (Connie) Cannon, their daughter Catherine and their granddaughter Cooper; and his sister Joan (Richard) Cassin and their family as well as the family of his older sister Jane Cannon Smith who died in 1999.

Niel will be remembered for his outreach to others, as well as the funny and often embellished stories he loved to share. He had a natural ability to inspire people and ignite hope. He was loving, kind and always trying to teach his grandchildren how to be good democrats.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a celebration of Niel’s life on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 2:30 PM at the Concord Country Club in Concord, NH 03301

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Steve’s Place Recovery Club P.O. Box 446, Concord, NH 03302