Neil Howard Phaneuf, Sr., 87, of Acton passed away surrounded by the love of his family on February 2, 2021. He was born on December 5, 1933 in Hudson, the son of the late Arthur and Marceline (Pelletier) Phaneuf. If you knew him, you loved him… and he probably loved you too. He knew a little bit about a lot, something about everything. With his welcoming nature, he always had a personal tale to tell to anyone who would listen. That is who he was, someone who always left you feeling uplifted. An amazing man in every sense. He took pride in his family, always their biggest cheerleader on the sidelines. He will be missed so much. “When you lose someone you love, you must not learn to live without them, but you live with the love they left behind.“ —Anonymous

Neil will always be remembered as an incredible husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 49 years, Josephine (Porrazzo) Phaneuf. Loving father of Debbie (Phaneuf) Sanford & husband Neal of Mattapoisett, Neil Phaneuf, Jr. & wife Kerstin of Stow and Steven Phaneuf & wife Danielle of Groton. Dear grandfather of Shanleigh Heelan & husband Joseph, Shawn Sanford & wife Chelsea, Sydney Sanford, Cassidy Phaneuf, Alex Phaneuf, Avery Phaneuf, Ashton Phaneuf, Caileigh Phaneuf and Paige Phaneuf. Dear great-grandfather of Wilson Heelan. An honorary Grampy to many. His brothers Arthur and Eugene Phaneuf and his sister Shirley (Phaneuf) Geary all predeceased him.

All are invited to attend his visitation on Monday, February 15, 2021 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave. (Rte. 111) Acton. Masks are required and social distancing is observed. A private funeral mass at St. Bridget’s Church will be followed by a burial in Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard. Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com