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Wisconsin Pottery Association
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The following article appeared in WPA Press, Vol. 19, Winter 2004
In Memoriam: Remembering Neil McCormick
by Alan McCormick
Neil J. McCormick, age 67, of Madison/Antigo, died October 8, 2003 after a long illness. He was born December 31, 1935 in Antigo, WI. He was the first child of Eugene and Marie McCormick.
Neil joined the Air Force after graduating from Antigo High School in 1954. He served in North Africa then he was transferred to Truax Field in Madison.
He met his future wife when he worked at the base movie theater and they were married May 28, 1960. They raised three sons in a home just a short drive from the base.
Neil enjoyed books, arrowhead and pottery collecting, gardening, fishing, woodcarving and Irish folk music. He worked at the City of Madison Water Department for 36 years and retired in 1998 so he could spend more time with his family and friends. He is survived by his brothers Michael, David and Philip, his wife Joanne and their three sons, Thomas, Alan and Daniel. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Mary. Neil will be remembered as a hard working family man who was too nice to be the dirty old man he aspired to be. His smile and sense of humor will be missed by everyone he knew. Just remember that great head of hair and one of his Hawaiian shirts.
The docs told him in 1961 he wouldn't live another year.
Then they told him he wouldn't live to have kids.
Then they told him he wouldn't see them grow up.
He outlasted many of his doctors.
Neil aka "The Energizer Bunny"
He kept going...and going...and going.