J. Dale McNeill

of Delray Beach, Florida, passed away on December 12, 2016 from a rare and sudden cardiomyopathy, at Jackson Memorial in Miami, FL. He was 44 years old.

Dale was born on October 23, 1972 in Boynton Beach, Florida to Dr. Samuel McNeill, DDS, (deceased 2015) and Susan McNeill, RN (deceased 2009). Dale is survived by his wife, Christina Webb of Delray Beach, FL; his two older brothers, Jim McNeill of Delray Beach, FL, and Andy McNeill (Todd Bludworth, and Samuel and Annabelle Bludworth-McNeill) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; his aunt, Waverly Shirreffs of West Palm Beach, FL, Matthew (Jen) Helper, of Boynton Beach, Jeff Hepler of Delaware, and numerous other uncles, aunts and cousins across the U.S..

Dale grew up in Lake Clark Shores and Albert Lakes in West Palm Beach, where the McNeill’s were part of a close-knit family community; Dale , the youngest of three boys, attended Forest Hill High School (Class of 1991), where he met his life-long friends and was loved for his laid-back demeanor. Dale was a Palm Beach Firefighter and Paramedic for 17 years, most recently with Engine 24 in West Palm Beach. He was proud of his contributions to the community, and was passionate and humble about the work he and his crew achieved each day. He had a career of diverse experiences, from delivering babies to saving overdosed teens.

In 2014 he was awarded the Unit Commendation medal for saving a family from their burning home. Dale was a kind soul, and was best known by his fire family as the man who always volunteered to go into manholes to save baby ducks and other helpless animals. Dale believed in living for the moment, and waxed poetic about the simple pleasures everyday life had to offer. Among the top of his list were the ocean, walking his dogs, a perfectly cut lawn, and a sunny day that allowed him to do anything outside. Dale’s fierce passion for all living creatures, big and small, was inherited from both parents. Dale was never without the companionship of a dog, and leaves behind his best friend, an 80 lb. rescue named Toby.

In honor of Dale’s spirit, the family asks, in lieu of flowers, donations are made to Big Dog Rescue Ranch (www.bdrr.org)

The quest for a heart transplant became a goal for Dale and his family. In his memory, the family asks friends and family consider becoming an organ donor.

A Memorial Service for Dale will held at 3:00pm on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at the Old School Square Pavilion, 51 North Swinton Ave, Delray Beach, FL, 33444.