Cornelius was born and raised in Hicksville, NY the youngest of three children of Cornelius Sr and Irene Dreyer Swanton. Living in NY, the family started summer trips to Rangeley, Maine when Neil was 6 weeks old. Enjoying many summers at the Terraces the family purchased their second home when Neil was 7. As an adult would choose Rangeley to be his home.
Neil had a love for life and experiences. Neil enjoyed playing many sports through his life including skiing, snowboarding, water skiing and knee boarding, golfing, ice and roller hockey, snowmobiling, biking, and shooting. He was an avid lifelong NY Giants, Ranger, and Met’s fan. He enjoyed the bittersweet victories of the underdog teams and was always hopeful for their next season. Neil learned to play the drums at first as a child then as a young adult. He played in a band in NY and assisted with the Tom Ball Band of Rangeley, Maine. Neil always excelled at the things he enjoyed. Neil was an avid movie fan as well and had a large collection of them.
He enjoyed traveling with his family on cruises as well as trips to California, Florida, Nevada, and Mexico. For a time, Neil drove an 18 wheeler across the country seeing all of the continental US and parts of Canada. Being on the road made him homesick for Maine where he settled in Rangeley. Here he worked as a propane technician and was able to pursue his hobbies and enjoy the beauty of the area. He is known for his drives through town with his faithful dog Bo barking like a siren as he drove through town. Everyone knew who it was and some gave a wave as they drove by. He had many friends here and always was there lending a helping hand to those in need, even when he himself was in need. These friends would help look after and help Neil in his final months. The family is so grateful to everyone who was there for him when we could not. The family would also like to thank his very good friends Anthony Lanzilotta, Mike Flewelling, Lisa and Jon Krach, and Kevin McGarvey for their support and friendship through the years, you guys rock!
Neil will most be remembered for his HUGE heart. Always there to help anyone in need, even complete strangers he met on the street he would take into his home. His sense of humor will be missed by his family as well. Neil is predeceased by his grandparents, sister Mary, Uncles Robert and Richard Swanton, Uncle Ernst Dreyer, his Aunt Mary Swanton, and his number one fan, his dad Cornelius Sr. He is survived by this always supportive and loving mother, Irene Dreyer Swanton. Two supportive and loving sisters, Jean Schieck and her husband John of E. Northport, NY and Alison Mason and her husband Stan of Portland, Maine. His nephews Michael Schieck and Owen Mason as well as his nieces Kristen Schieck Bushur, Colleen Schieck and Hayley Mason. His aunts Mildred Dreyer and Constance Swanton as well as many cousins.
The family would like to thank the kind and considerate staff at Franklin Memorial hospital in Farmington, ME. Especially Dr. Torgersen for her knowledge and compassion which was very much appreciated. Services will be private due to COVID-19 and restrictions associated with. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made in his memory to St. Luke’s catholic church in Rangeley and to donate blood which was needed in Neil’s final days.
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