Neil Riley Mccormack

Neil Riley McCormack, 74, of Cedar passed away unexpectedly Saturday, May 10, 2014 at his home in Cedar.

Neil was born on Tuesday, November 21, 1939 to Geraldine Ruth (Critzer) and Robert Riley McCormack in Pontiac. Following his graduation from high school he continued his education, and began a career in police work.

Neil was employed by the Pontiac Police Department for 28 years, retiring at the rank of Sergeant in 1989. On Saturday, August 15, 1981 he and his wife Janice were married in West Bloomfield.

Being part time residents for years, in September of 1993, he and Jan moved to the Cedar area where he took 2 years off between careers to build their dream home. Once he started his career that never seemed like a job for him, driving a school bus became a passion and Glen Lake Schools became his extended family. Neil loved the kids who rode his bus, some of them, the second generation of children to ride his route. After 18 years, he still wasn't ready to give his seat up… although God had other plans.
Neil loved tending to his yard, fishing, boating, camping and vactations to warm places in the winter. He enjoyed life to its fullest and there was nothing he didn't like to do. He was a great prankster and had a wicked sense of humor. He loved to make people laugh. Neil was a member of Westside Community Church, the Fraternal Order of Police, The Elks, Eagles, Cedar Hilltoppers, Cedar Chamber of Commerce, the bus driver's union as well as the Pegtown Breakfast Club and the Maple City Health Club.

Neil is survived by his wife and soul mate, Jan; children, Lisa (Duane) Simons of Evans, GA, Patrick (Traci) McCormack of Orofino, Idaho, Scott (Michelle) McCormack of Omaha, NE, Christy Wilamowski of Traverse City, Kevin (Nicolle) Wilamowski of Manchester, N.H. and Kelly Miller of Shelby Township. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Megan, Cali, Annelise, Libby, Taylor, Casey, Riley,Morgan, Aidan, McKenna, Bronwynn, Rhiannon and Finn and two great granddaughters, Lorelai and Mary Margaret. Neil's siblings that survive are Jackie Morain of Germany and Michael (Karen) of Lakeworth, FL. His best friend, Marshel Taylor and his two cats, Beaudy and Bessie. Neil was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Carolyn Pearsall and brother Donald McCormack.

A service celebrating Neil's life will take place at 12 Noon, Monday, May 19 at West Side Community Church, 4975 E. Traverse Highway W., Traverse City, with Pastor John Clark officiating. Visitation will take place at the church beginning one hour prior to the service.

The family has asked that Neil be remembered through memorial contributions to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org ; or to A. C. Paws, P. O. Box 94, Acme, MI 49610 or www.acpaw.org .

Please share your favorite memories of Neil with his family by way of his online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.