Neil Arthur London was born 1938 in Manchester, Connecticut to Lesnid and Lila Dumphy London. He was the youngest of five, with his oldest sister, Audrey, born 19 years before him. His siblings included sister Audrey Grundt, Joyce Fraunfelder, Allen Lemuel “Bud” London, and sister Carole Ernestine London. He is preceded in death by all except his beloved brother-in-law Leroy Fraunfelder. He attended and graduated from Manchester High School where he was an active and proud member of the Roundtable Singers.

In 1956 Neil joined the Air Force, completing basic training at Lackland Air Force base in Texas and then completing his training as radar technician, Airman Second Class at Keesler Air Force base in Biloxi, Mississippi. In 1959 in Manchester, Connecticut he met the love of his life, Nellie Jane Wolfe. Seeing the rise of political tensions, Nellie persuaded Neil not to reenlist, protecting him from serving during war time and he was honorably discharged August 16, 1960. Neil’s first professional employment post Air Force was at Lockheed Martin in East Hartford, Connecticut, a job that would install a lifelong fascination with aviation – a passion he happily shared and passed down to his grandson Christopher Anderson.

Neil and Nellie were married March 31, 1962 at St. Andrews Church in Bloomfield, CT and settled in the mutli-family home in Manchester owned by his parents. In 1962 Neil’s close sister, Carole, died from complications of myasthenia gravis, leaving behind three young children, Leonard, Larry and Cathy. Neil and Nellie considered raising Larry themselves but ultimately were unable to, releasing his care to his father –Neil always considered Larry Campanelli one of his most treasured nephews and the two remained close throughout Neil’s life.

In 1967 Nellie gave birth to a still born baby boy they named Stephen. In 1968 in September they were blessed with their first born baby girl Carrie Lee London followed quickly with their second daughter Lisa in 1969. The couple moved to Southern Connecticut, ultimately settling in Uncasville where they would raise their two daughters in modest house on Orchard Drive that they bought April 12, 1972 for $20,000.

Neil worked at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton from 1971 until his early retirement in 1991. He worked as an electrician during the boatyard’s glory days in the 70s when building submarines was an essential part of winning the cold war. In the mid-70s he was Shop steward for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 261 when the Metal Trades Council led a five month walkout that lasted 149 days and resulted in a 43 month agreement providing wage gains of 41% with greatly improved fringe benefits.

During the 70s Neil purchased his first boat, enjoying many days with friends and family fishing on the Thames River and in and around the New London waters. He earned his scuba diving license and added lobstering to his many interests. It was during the 70s that he also designed his downstairs basement as an entertainment center for family and friends, complete with upright piano, bar and pool table. This was his first foray into home design and furniture building, another passion that would last long into his 50s. Neil was notorious for designing and building a new room in his house over the course of one weekend.

In the 1980s, Neil obtained his associates degree and became an Electronic Test Engineer for Electric Boat of General Dynamics conducting week long Sea Trials aboard the 118 foot Sub Sig—finalizing the necessary tests and evaluations of all new submarines prior to their acceptance by the Navy.

It was during the 1980s that Neil and Nellie welcomed their foster son Michael Cousins into their home, providing him with a stable and loving place to finish his educational goals. Neil was especially proud and fond of his much taller, much blonder son.

In 1991, Neil was offered and accepted a “golden handshake” from General Dynamics and retired at the age of 55 ultimately moving to Florida, fulfilling a life long dream of never seeing snow again. The family, consisting of two beloved grandchildren, Amanda and Christopher, relocated first to Port St Lucie, and then to Stuart, Florida where Neil and Nellie made a great number of friends and were active members of the Elks, of the Moose Lodge and St Monica’s Episcopal Church. During retirement, Neil dedicated his time and attention to his loving wife, his beloved grandchildren Amanda, Christopher, and Meena and to enjoying his entire family.

Known for his big, soft heart, generous laughter, beautiful singing voice, and excellent dancing – Neil was a dedicated party host and immediate friend to all he met. When the love of his life, Nellie, died unexpectedly in 2012, the affects of his vascular dementia became apparent. Neil became a fixture at the Adult Day Center at the Kane Center in Stuart where the “ladies would all ask him to dance” and he was treasured as their “best singer.” For the last decade of his life he was a successful bingo player, an avid dancer, and a sweet soul to everyone he met. He was lovingly cared for by his whole family but his daughter Lisa Djahed and her husband Hassan Djahed were his daily caretakers to the end. He took his last breaths surrounded by music and family and friends to the tune of “Beyond the Sea”.

Somewhere beyond the sea
Somewhere waiting for me
My lover stands on golden sands
And watches the ships that go sailin'
Somewhere beyond the sea
She's there watching for me
If I could fly like birds on high
Then straight to her arms
I'd go sailing
It's far beyond the stars
It's near beyond the moon
I know beyond a doubt
My heart will lead me there soon
We'll meet beyond the shore
We'll kiss just as before
Happy we'll be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailing
I know beyond a doubt, ah
My heart will lead me there soon
We'll meet (I know we'll meet) beyond the shore
We'll kiss just as before
Happy we'll be beyond the sea
And never again I'll go sailing
No more sailing
So long sailing
Bye bye sailing