'He Touched People's Lives'

You didn't have to know Don MacNeil for very long to learn of his passion.

“Give kids a chance and they can do anything," he said in August.

On Monday, MacNeil demonstrated that belief while he taught students in Pottstown Senior High School's Air Force Jr. ROTC program -- which he helped establish over 16 years ago.

The next morning, he died suddenly at his home in Philadelphia.

Now, Pottstown high school faculty and students struggle to cope with their loss and remember MacNeil's way -- often funny but with clear, no-nonsense direction -- of leading them down the right path.

"He just was a fantastic human being," said Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James “Jake” C. Porter. "I (feel) blessed to have spent time with him."

Last year, Porter became a JROTC instructor at Pottstown High School. A short time later, Porter earned an outstanding instructor with merit award.

“I owe a lot of that to (MacNeil),” Porter said in August. “Don took me under his wing and showed me the ins and outs.” 

On Friday, Porter talked of MacNeil's remarkable 30-year teaching career and the school's loss.

"It was a complete shock to all of us," he said of MacNeil's death. "People are shocked and saddened at the loss."

MacNeil devoted his life to helping others -- primarily students, Porter said.

"He obviously loved what he did ... It does my heart a measure of good ... that he was able to pursue his life with passion," Porter said. "That's something that's pretty special ... the way he touched people's lives."

MacNeil would have been 72 years old November 11 -- Veteran's Day.

According to his obituary, "Donald was the longest tenured Jr. ROTC instructor worldwide. Mr. MacNeil was retired from the Air Force with 20 years of service as a Master Sergeant."

Pottstown School District Director of Community Relations John J. Armato on Friday said MacNeil's death is "a tremendous blow" to the school's student body and staff.

Plans are being finalized to hold a memorial service for MacNeil at the high school, 750 North Washington Street in Pottstown, on November 10, Armato said. 

"(MacNeil) clearly changed the lives of thousands of people," Armato said.

And those people will likely carry forward and grow MacNeil's vision -- to help others reach their full potential.

“We teach them teamwork, coordinated effort and listening,” MacNeil in August said of instructing students. “If it were up to me, every student would go into JROTC ... It would give them a good sense of values … to start believing in themselves.” 

Read MacNeil's full obituary.

Read more about MacNeil and Pottstown High School's JROTC program:

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