Robert “Jeff” Neville

Robert Geoffrey “Jeff” Neville, of Westwood, MA passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2017 after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease).  He is survived by his beloved wife, Yajaira; his sons, Geoffrey Neville Jr. and Peter Neville; step daughter Arcelia Pena and 6 grandchildren, John, Kelsey, Ryan, Geoffrey III, Colin and Tyler.  Jeff also leaves behind his sister Mary Alice Holmes, four nephews and a late niece.  Raised in Bethlehem, PA, he pursued his education at Princeton University with a degree in Chemistry and an MBA from Harvard Business School.  From 1953 to 1974, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy for 3 years active duty and 18 years in the reserves as a pilot, including a tour as Commanding Officer of VP-92 stationed at South Weymouth Naval Air Station.  He retired at the rank of Captain and greatly enjoyed the comradery of his squadron, copilot and crew.  Jeff was a partner at his first business venture, Shield Packaging Corporation, and the founder of Concord Foods, a growing, midsized food manufacturer located in Brockton, MA.  Jeff led Concord Foods from start up to successful organization, executed eight acquisitions and was proud to pass the control of the business to his sons in the 1990’s.  He enjoyed watching the growth of the company and sharing the success of his firm with his employees.  He was always interested in education and taught many classes over his life, including those on entrepreneurship and family business, at Northeastern University, Babson College, the Management Growth Institute and the Iacocca Institute at Lehigh University.  Jeff served as the President of the New England chapter of the Institute of Food Technologists, on the BankBoston regional board, Produce Marketing Association Retail Board and the Board of Trustees at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia.  Jeff was very active in his “retirement” and volunteered as a consultant with the International Executive Service Corps (IESC) and ACDI/VOCA, an international development organization that fosters economic growth in developing nations.  These overseas consulting projects took Jeff around the world to help growing food companies in countries including Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Uganda, Nicaragua, and the Cape Verde Islands.  He loved to sail from Buzzards Bay on his boat, the “Candy Apple,” with trips to Cuttyhunk, Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island and Nantucket.  He also enjoyed playing tennis, traveling, gardening and skiing with his family.  The family will hold a private interment.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service on October 28, 2017 at 10am to celebrate Jeff’s life at St. John Episcopal Church, 95 Deerfield Ave, Westwood, MA.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association – Massachusetts Chapter, 685 Canton Street, Suite 103, Norwood, MA  02062.