Joseph T. Neville

Commander Joseph T. (Joe) Neville, United States Navy (Retired), passed away February 3, 2012, after a brief illness.

A native of Brooklyn, NY, Commander Neville was born May 9, 1926, to Florence & Walter Neville. He attended Brooklyn public schools and entered the New York State Maritime Academy in May 1944, graduating in 1946, as an Ensign in the Naval Reserve with a license as a Merchant Marine officer. Shortly after graduation he was employed by Grace Line Steamship Company. He came ashore in late 1947 and was employed in the maritime industry in New York harbor. Cmdr. Neville was called to active duty in the Navy during the Korean War and in 1954 he applied for and accepted a commission in the regular Navy. All of his sea duty was on destroyer type ships. He commanded the USS Putnam and USS Charles R. Ware. Joe attended the Naval Intelligence Post Graduate School and upon graduation was assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations as head of the Current Intelligence Briefing Unit with additional duties of providing briefings to the White House, the Secretary of the Navy, and the U.S. Congress. His subsequent shore duty assignments were also in the intelligence community. During his service he received many awards, including Navy Commendation Medal, Combat "V" Action Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Cuba), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars and Merchant Marine WWII Service Medal. Cmdr. Neville retired from the US Navy in 1973 and moved to Tallahassee. He and his wife Chloe (Alvis) Croft were married in 1974. They traveled extensively in England, Europe, Central America and South Africa. He was employed by the Dept. of Health & Rehabilitative Services from 1974-1981. Joe volunteered as a Wildlife Reserve Officer for the Florida Game & Fish Commission for 12 years. He also was a long-time volunteer at the Museum of Florida History and Mission San Luis, the Leon County Sheriff's Office, as a Small Claims Court Mediator and in the Attorney General's Seniors Against Crime program. Joe was a skilled ship model maker and woodworker who made meticulous replicas of ancient chests and cradles for Mission San Luis and other living history sites. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church. He was also a member of the Society of Naval Architects & Marine Engineers, The Council of American Master Mariners, The Retired Officers Association, and Naval Intelligence Professionals.

In addition to his beloved wife Chloe, he is survived by two daughters, Maureen Neville and Virginia (Zeke) Boyle; and grandson, Luke Boyle. Also three stepchildren, Kevin Croft, Melodie (Harry) Johnson and Roberta (Michael) Blythe-Blue; three step grandchildren; and five step great-grandchildren; and a cherished cousin Joe Comiskey. They and Joe's numerous friends will miss his dry wit, his compassion and kind and generous ways. He was a true gentleman.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 11, at 11:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 3413 Old Bainbridge Road. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church or to Big Bend Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.