By Bianca Prieto
Rocky Mountain News
Copyright 2007 Denver Publishing Company
DENVER — Firefighters from across the country came to Denver last month to celebrate the life of a man who worked hard to give them equality and made sure they’d be remembered.
Michael McNeill, a former Denver firefighter and prominent member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, was laid to rest March 25 at Fort Logan National Cemetery.
Mr. McNeill died March 21 after a two- year battle with kidney cancer. He was 64.
He served as a vice president for the international organization for 24 years and represented firefighters in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Oregon and Nevada. During that time he worked to ensure his fellow firefighters had good wages and worked to pass important legislation.
He was born in Peoria, Ill., on May 28, 1942, to Harriet and Frank McNeill. The family moved to Denver when he was 5.
Mr. McNeill graduated from Denver’s South High School in 1960 and played football for a two-year college in southern Colorado. Later, he served in the 101st Airborne Division.
Shortly before his Sept. 30, 1967, marriage to wife Cindy, he joined the Denver Fire Department as a firefighter.
“It’s curious that he went from jumping out of planes to running into burning buildings,” his wife said. “Firefighters are extraordinary people.”
During his 33 years at Denver Fire Rescue, Mr. McNeill served in numerous positions as a firefighter and was the public information officer for five years before retiring in 2000.
Through the IAFF, Mr. McNeill was instrumental in creating the National Fallen Fire Fighter’s memorial in Colorado Springs in 1984.
Mr. McNeill presided over the annual ceremony to honor the fallen men and women until 2005, when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer.
He sought medical treatment in New York City for a brief time.
At Mr. McNeill’s funeral on March 25, the IAFF presented his family with the medal of honor, the highest medal given by the association.
Mr. McNeill is survived by his wife; a son, Matthew; two daughters, Amy and Beth; six grandchildren; his mother; and four siblings. He was preceded in death by his father in 2005.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in his name to the Professional Fire Fighters Foundation, 2342 Broadway, Suite 130, Denver, CO 80205.