Obituaries

John A. Neville

"THE REST IS SILENCE"

John A. Neville, of Lancaster, left this life with grace and peace on January 10, 2013. Born June 28, 1943, in Ashland, Kentucky, the son of Frederick J.and Lavetta J. (Morgan) Neville, John is survived by his wife Pamela R. (Lyons) Neville and daughters Kelli A. Lester, wife of Christopher T. Lester, of Canal Winchester, OH; Amy E. Antonucci of Lancaster; Melissa M. Neville of Ironton, OH; and Dulcey A. Antonucci, wife of Fernando J. Martin, of Lancaster. Grandchildren include Morgan Lester; Emily Bare; Jordan Lester; Haley Bland, wife of Cody Bland; Quinton Bare; Xandro Martin; Ansel Martin; and great-granddaughter Maci Bland. John is also survived by his beloved twin sister Judith A. Rice and his older brother Frederick J. Neville, Jr., husband of Lela, both of Ironton, OH. He was predeceased by his parents and an older sister, M. Jane Witt.

John graduated from St. Joseph’s High School, Ironton, OH, in 1961; from The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, in 1967, and from the Stanford Executive Program in 1985. After graduating from Ohio State, John chose the RCA corporate financial trainee program and remained with the corporation, initially working for RK Smith, as it transmuted from RCA to GE, then to Thomson Multimedia, and Technicolor. He moved to RCA locations in New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, and New York, and in 1978 his career took him to Paris, France, as controller of Videocolor, SA, a joint venture between RCA and Thomson-Houston, an electronics firm in France. Returning to The States, he became Vice President of the North American Tube Division, and in 1985 his negotiations with Chinese government officials earned him their great respect for which he remains known today. In 1992, as Executive VP of the Tubes and Display Group of Thomson Consumer Electronics, John again moved to Paris. Six months later, he was promoted to Executive Senior VP of Worldwide Operations overseeing approximately 30,000 workers in forty-six sites throughout Europe, Central America, South America, Asia, and North America. After his return in 1998 to Lancaster, he was cajoled back from retirement to oversee for several years the Patents and Licensing Group in Princeton, NJ. He was a member of the company’s Executive Committee and a Senior Advisor to the CEO prior to final retirement in September 2007.

John will be remembered and loved by his family and many friends as a man of integrity, courage, unequaled wit, and empathy. He never failed to support, care, and mentor his family and coworkers. A third generation descendant of County Cork, Ireland, he was proud of his heritage, but his heart belonged in Paris, France. He loved walking the boulevards of Paris, shopping at the open air market on Rue Cler, meditating on Sunday afternoons at his favorite corner cafe overlooking Place Ecole Militaire, and sharing weekday meals with Pam and colleagues at his favorite neighborhood "duck place" or bistro. He was a former member of Bent Creek Country Club and Lancaster Country Club and looked forward to many rounds of golf in his retirement. His favorite avocation, for which he was well-known, was cooking exquisite meals for family and friends–whether it be his mother’s fried chicken, sloppy joes, and hot dog sauce; his favorite pasta concoctions; or his sole meuniere and confit de canard. He remained a loyal Ohio State fan and enjoyed reviewing football games with Kelli, and verbal sparring with friends who are graduates of rival universities.

Family and friends are invited to attend John’s Memorial Service on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 2:00 pm, at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. A visitation will take place from 12:30 to 2:00 pm on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers or as a memorial contribution in his name, family and friends are requested to consider a donation to St. Joseph’s Catholic Schools, 912 South 6th St., Ironton, OH 45638, ATTN: Fr. David Huffman; to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, 1317 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314, www.curemeso.org; or to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-510

"NOW CRACKS  A NOBLE HEART. GOOD NIGHT, SWEET PRINCE:
AND FLIGHTS OF ANGELS SING THEE TO THY REST.
HE WAS A MAN, TAKE HIM FOR ALL IN ALL,
I SHALL NOT LOOK UPON HIS LIKE AGAIN."       

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Condolences to the Family

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I loved working with John.

Brenda Holstine

Dearest Pam and Family:
There are no words….I’m so sorry for your loss.  Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
"He Restores My Soul"…Psalms 23:3

Edith Crist

My thoughts and prayers go out to john’s family. As a retired IBEW union president and business manager representing employees of rca-ge-thomson in marion ,indiana i had the privilege of working with john on many occasions. He was one of the fairest and nicest guys i dealt with in the company. He was very workable and respectful to me. He will always hold a special place in my heart. RIP MY DEAR FRIEND.

Roy Fultz, Marion Indiana

Very sorry about your loss.  To Judi and family, Fred and family. Kelli and Missy. You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Lavetta Sites and family.

Dear Pam and Family,

We are very sorry for your loss.  Our prayers are with you.

Andrew and Margaret Garrety

When John worked for me in RCA Circleville, Ohio . I knew he was destined to become a top-notch executive. John was a pleasure to work with and also a friend. He followed me into the position of VP Finance for the RCA Color Picture Tube Division . He will always be fondly remembered by me and my family.

Don Marquart
Orlando, Florida

Our prayers and thoughts are with you as your family goes through this trying time. We will greatly miss Mr. Neville.

Your Friends at The Spa and Pool Place.

John was our friend for 43 years this month. Eventually, he became Joe’s BFF, and he loved him like a brother. Beginning at RCA Circleville, OH and continuing every place he worked or lived, all of us had hundreds of experiences together. We are Godparents to Melissa, his youngest. He was destined for greatness and he achieved it. We most remember his quick, sharp wit, stories, jokes, compassion, and social outreach. He made everyone around him work better and play harder; he cared deeply for his family and friends and displayed extraordinary loyalty to them. We offer our deepest condolences to his extended family, albeit they know they already have our hearts.

Our love;HIS peace,
Joe and Bernie Margotta, Plainfield, IL

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  I enjoyed working with John.
Patricia DeWald, RN Case Manager

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