Francis M. Neilon

HOLYOKE- Francis “Smokey” Neilon, 95, a former Holyoke resident passed away on Jan. 11, 2014, at Harborage in North Bergen, NJ. He was born in Holyoke on Aug. 8, 1918, a son of the late Michael and Margaret (Young) Neilon and was educated at Rosary High School in Holyoke. Smokey enlisted in the US Navy during WWII and served honorably from 1939-1945. He was a longtime employee with Amtrak having retired as a freight manager and controller. He resided in Brooklyn while employed before retiring to Bayonne, NJ, where he enjoyed walking daily, watching horse racing, especially at Saratoga Springs and was an avid cigar aficionado. Francis was a man who always maintained his faith and was a longtime, faithful communicant of St. Michaels Church in Bayonne. He is survived by his nephew, Michael J. Neilon and his fiancé Wanda Hebert of Holyoke; his niece, Carolann Malley of Granby; his great nephew and great niece, Michael S. Neilon of Belchertown and Erica Schultz of Navarre, FL. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Jan 17, 2014 from 9-10:30AM at Messier Funeral Home, 1944 Northampton St., Holyoke and be followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11AM in Blessed Sacrament Church. The Rite of Committal and Burial with military honors will be in St. Jerome Cemetery. Please visit www.messierfuneralhome.com for more details.