whenever I worked with Neil he was very professional and I consider him a friend!    Condolences to his family and friends

I will remember Neil forever great person, good engineer, fun to be around and good times on the golf course rest in peace my friend. Joe Umina 

I first met Neil and Maureen shortly after I turned 18.And that was many years ago.Karen was a toddler and Jen was a newborn.I considered them my closest friends and was always welcome in their house.We had great times at Boyle’s—holiday parties with the kids,watching  the guys play baseball, and listening to the oldies on the jukebox.I remember the song,Barbara Ann playing when Maureen’s sister Barbara was there.It was great having Neil, Wayne and Ricky at my wedding.I moved to the Adirondacks in 1983 but stopped over on my trips to LI.Mike and I drove to Albany when Jennifer graduated from college.Maureen was so determined to be there and she looked beautiful.I cried all the way home knowing that would be the last time that I saw her.I like to think that they are together again.It must be a joy to look through all the old pictures.Neil was a great guy,gone too soon.I hope Karen ,Jennifer ,And Bobby realize how lucky they were to have such a wonderful dad.I had met Claire in recent years and I am so sorry for her loss.One year has been gone by but I will always treasure the memories I have of them.Blessings to all.

We were so sorry to hear of Neil’s passing..just tragic for all of his family and friends.  Please know that we are thinking of all of you at this time, and hope God’s  Love, Peace and Comfort surround  you in the days ahead..
Love,
Bob and Debbie

I can't seem to find the right words to be able to express my overwhelming sense of loss and sadness over the passing of my closest friend whom I came to love more as a brother than a friend. 
There is not enough space here for me to recount all the good times we had during these past 48 years and all the wonderful memories I have with a man who no one that I know of has anything bad to say about.
Thanks to all who have shared their messages of love for a truly unique individual who would bring a smile to all those  he came in contact with. I am honored to join you in our praise for Neil. I miss him already and will never forget him.
And finally my sincere heartfelt condolences to Claire, Wayne, Rick, Doris, Karen,, Jennifer, Bobby and the rest of the family he was so proud of. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless


Our deepest condolences on the passing of our Dear friend Neil.  We met Neil over 30 years ago at  the Mt. Sinai Yacht Club and have been friends ever since. Neil I will miss our lunches together, football pools and dinners at Popeyes.  We have so many precious memories together, which we will hold dear to our hearts always.  Rest In Peace Dear friend....... Love 💔🙏John and Diane BluEyes 

I met Neil when I was 7 when he moved next door to us and became good friends with my brother Richie. I remember so many antics they got into that were amusing like sneaking parents cars out for joy rides, horsing around in our house where holes were put in the walls (thank goodness my grandfather was a carpenter)so much more but my family adored Neil and he could do no wrong. When he married Maureen she became my closest friend  and as they had children I got to be a part of their lives and I loved and adored this family. Maureen was also taken too soon and I watched Neil become a single father and the great job he did. I am so glad he eventually met Claire to spend the rest of his life with. Through the years I saw how much he loved and adored his brothers Wayne and Ricky and his family especially his children and grandkids. His face lit up every time he spoke of them with much love and pride. I am so glad I was an intermittent part of his life for so many years. He was such a character kind,caring,funny with his infectious smile bubbly personality and a great friend to have. He will be missed and remembered for the nicest person he was. To Karen Dave Jaime Justin, Jennifer Brian Kaylee Olivia, Bobby, Claire, the Manttari family,& the Condon family My Deepest Heartfelt Sympathy for your loss  

Neil was a wonderful friend to so many. Always loved his stories about fishing and working on the Railroad. Many laughs over the past 30 years at the yacht club. Our friend will be missed by many❤

Rich and I were so sorry to hear of Neil's passing. He was a wonderful man. We have many fond memories of sharing a drink
at The Hartlin Inn with him. Neil will be greatly missed. Our deepest
condolences to Claire, Ricky and Doris, Wayne and Susan and the
entire Manttari Family.
Thinking of you,
Rich and Carol

I had  the pleasure of knowing Neil for many years on the railroad. It was always a good day when Neil was behind the throttle.  I am heartbroken at Neil’s untimely passing. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.  

Words can't express what we are feeling now. A lifetime of memories. Miss you little brother.

Words cannot express how sorry we are to hear about Neil’s passing.  He was one of the nicest and fun loving person that we ever met.  Our fondest memories are of the times we spent together talking and laughing at The Hartlin Inn.  

We remember the time that we were on a cruise together and the Giants and Vikings were in the playoffs.  Neil was at the cruise ship bar at noon so he made sure that he had a great seat to watch the game.  Neil was at one end of the bar and we were at the other - everyone else (probably over 40 people) were Vikings fans.  Although the Giants won by a blowout and Neil and us made sure the Vikings fans knew it by shouting across the bar, everyone was friends by the end. 
 
Our condolences to Claire, Rick and Doris, Wayne and Sue and the entire Manttari family.  

Dan and Tina Davis

We met Neil when our son, Brian became engaged and married his lovely daughter, Jen.  We shared many special occasions over the years.  We were so blessed to share our two beautiful granddaughters with him.  We enjoyed many holidays together and we even got to see him when he visited his brother in Hilton Head which was a treat!  Neil was one of a kind!  His laughter and personality filled the room.  He will surely be missed!  May he Rest In Peace!

My condolences goes out to the family .Whenever I spoke with Neil I knew I was speaking with a friend. He will be missed.      Bernie W

Working with Neil was always a pleasure and a lot of fun. We lost another one of the good guys. My heartfelt condolences to the Manttari family. Rest in peace my friend.
George Haman
Retired Conductor

My condolences to Neil's family. I always looked forward to working with Neil. He was the consummate engineer and always fun to work with.  He is missed


Dear Lord, May you rest in peace, Neil.  I loved knowing you and your beautiful voice.  I enjoyed your company too. 
God Bless you and your family.  Our deepest condolences.  Love Deidre and Tom Breen

Neil was a great guy on the job and on the golf course, where we shared a few laughs. He was always fun to be around. He will be missed   My condolences to the family 

Neil and I hired on the RR in 1972. Neil was a few months before me. 1970 to 1974 was a big hiring time for engineers. We all knew each other and were a pretty tight group. Neil had a smile and a story whenever we crossed paths. He left us to soon. God bless his family. 

Our dock family will never be the same. Brian, the boys & I are heartbroken.  We love you Neil.  💔 Karen, Jen, Bobby, Claire, Jamie & all the grandkids & family, we're so sorry! Sending hugs to all of you.  

WORDS DO NOT COME EASY!  WE KNOW ALL THE MANTTARIS AND NEAL WAS A SPECIAL KIND OF GUY. DICK ENJOYED TALKING FOOTBALL WITH HIM AND HE ALWAYS BROUGHT GOOD FEELINGS TO ALL THAT KNEW  HIM, 

REST IN PEACE, NEIL. YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED WITH LOVE FROM ALL WHO KNEW YOU,  

WITH ALL OUR LOVE, 
JANET AND DICK 

Ricky and Wayne and the whole Manttari  Family so sorry for your loss. Mine and Lila's  Prayers and Thoughts are with you all. Neil was a Great Guy who knew how to bust peoples balls and made you laugh while doing it. Mine especially(TEX)  We will miss him dearly.

Neil and I worked on the LIRR as Engineers for many years, great guy lots of laughs. We played plenty of golf and did a few trips to Myrtle Beach. I send my condolences Rest in  Peace 

I worked with Neil for a long time. I always thought of him as a hard worker 
and pleasant to be around. 
My condolences to your family. 
John Stampfli 
retired conductor


Neil was a good friend of mind.  We worked together a lot, and he was a good engineer and a fine man. We always had a lot of laughs at work and later at golf.  He talked about his family, especially his granddaughter who went to UGA.  Go dawgs. I will miss him.

I knew Neil for over 40 years with both of us being Engineers. In retirement I would see him on the golf courses of LI and other railroad functions. My fondness memory of him was on his last last run before his retirement I got to ride his engine to Speonk. He talked about his career and all the great people we worked with on LIRR, and we just laughed and laughed. I will never forget the smile on his face as he walked off that engine for the last time. RIP my friend!

I am so so sorry for your loss. Neil was a great guy always had a big hello for me. I remember the fun we had growing up. Hanging out at the beach he will be missed  love ❤️ Patsy

I met Neil as an engineer trainee for the LIRR. He was a great guy, patient and very knowledgeable with trainees. I had a great time working with him, so sorry to hear about him passing. He will be in my prayers.

Sending My Deepest Condolences.  Neil was a Great Friend. Many Wonderful Memories shared with Neil and his Family at the Yacht Club. Rest in Peace Neil.

Both George and myself are heartbroken!!! Neil will be so missed! George was friends with Neil since he was 13. They both hung out together in Sound Beach! He has been a part of our lives for so long!! Fantastic memories!! Neil would always refer to me as ”Dale Hun” and I would respond ” hi Neil Hun” we would both be wearing big smiles to see each other!! They joined MSYC together and we were always boating! He will truly be missed!!!! All my love to the Manttari family! Claire, Karen, Jen, Bobby a special hug and kiss!!! My heart is broken and I wish you all the strength to get through the next few days!! All our condolences to Ricky and Doris... Wayne and Sue... Love all of you! 💔💔💔💔

Loved dancing with him. Peace be with you all


I can’t tell you how heartbroken I am to hear of Neil’s passing. I met Neil many years go through my husband Rich. Meeting and marring Rich introduced me to so many people of Sound Beach and the MSYC. We shared many memories at Shorty’s (then Hartlins) but most of my memories were with boating. We shared side by side slips at the yacht club and there are so many funny stories of our “experiences” there. He always made me laugh, and he had a hearty laugh himself! He loved telling and listening to stories, many involving him and Rich! These will always bring a smile to my face and I know they are both in Heaven rehashing all those memories right now! 
My deepest condolences to Karen and family, Jennifer and family, Bobby, Claire, Wayne and Sue, Ricky and Doris and the entire family and friends whose lives he touched so much. You will be missed my friend. ❤️

The first time I met Neil, he lit up the room with his personality and love for life and his family.  I will cherish the days we talked about how awful the Giants are (were) while he had his Bud Light, chips and sliced ham!  Days on the boat, me showing him how not to play golf, him trying to show me why I really dislike NASCAR, our “war stories” of being in the military, the clam bakes, Keirstyn and Kyle loving him as Papa Beil and saying “I go Nigh Nigh”, his stories about Bobbie, Joey, Jimmy and whoever else had a name ending in a vowel and his wonderful family that I truly love and are going to continue to be family.  Most of all, Neil was an unbelievable man that showed unconditional care and love for my mother and all of our families.  You will be missed and will always be my DAD!  

So sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing.

Your mom (Maureen) was my first cousin. (My father Thomas Harkins was your grandmother Kaye Condon’s brother). 

You all are in our thoughts and prayers. 

Sincerely,
John Harkins


There was always something so special about Uncle Neil. Such a genuine person who took a passionate interest in other people’s lives.  He would love to listen to a good story as much as he’d like to tell one, his laugh tremendously infectious with both.  Nothing he loved more than his kids and grandkids, he made no secret of that, tremendously proud of each of them, I know he’s looking down knowing they’ll all be okay.   He loved talking about his time in the Army.  Being his platoon’s top rifleman and being awarded the President’s Cup for shooting is something he took great pride in, and something him and I got to speak about often (although he admitted he hated shooting a pistol haha).  Somehow I often  got suckered into getting the canvases up on his boat, thank goodness Justin came of age, but truthfully, I loved doing it with him.  Making  friends with my friends came easy for him, whether we were golfing, watching football or just smoking a cigar...he loved being with “the guys”.  He’ll be missed.  Alli said that he was absolutely crucial with helping pull off my 40th surprise party, and I’m so happy that I got to spend that last day with him, to share a good cigar by the fire and a more than a few laughs.   So many great stories, stories that I hope we’ll all keep going for years to come.    

Rocky Point and Sound Beach were very popular summer vacation places for the Finnish community in NYC. The Elo(s) Manttari(s) and Saasto(s) (Finnish original name Saastamoinen) socialized and the kids played together. This took place over many years while we were kids, many 10 year old(s) to 14 or 15. Clamming, family parties, listening to Neil's mother playing the accordian!! Such great memories. 
We went our separate ways but who ever forgets your boyhood friends! There is always a special place in your heart and memory  and I feel that now as I hear about Neil's passing. To see the pictures posted is to remember him not only then but as I remember seeing him occasionally throughout the years, especially because it turned out that he married Maureen Condon, and her mother was my wife's father's sister, and so we crossed paths a few times over the years.
My sincerest condolences to the family.

OBITUARY

Neil E. Manttari

October 12, 1948 – December 14, 2020

O.B. Davis Funeral Homes - Miller Place

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services