Kevin Anthony Nealon

Kevin Anthony Nealon, 66, a lifelong resident of Hampton, Virginia, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2019, after a brave and stoic battle with lung and brain cancer. Born on September 15, 1952, he was a 1970 graduate of Pembroke High School in Hampton. As a young husband and father, Kevin began his career in the heavy marine construction industry with Tidewater Construction Company, where he spent six years working on a variety of projects including the James River Bridge and Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. He then found a home at W. F. Magann Corporation, where he spent 34 years working on and later managing the construction and repair of piers, bulkheads, dry docks, platens, crane rail systems, and utility tunnels – among many others – throughout most of the public and private shipyards in the area. He was especially proud of his work managing the construction of the triple-decker aircraft carrier pier (Pier 3) at Newport News Shipbuilding and managing the construction of the local flood protection system (floodwall) project in Richmond, Virginia, which won national awards. He retired from W. F. Magann Corporation as a General Superintendent in April 2011.

 He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Paul Nealon, Jr.; mother, Claire Bernau; and his son, Ryan Nealon. Survivors include his beloved wife of almost 49 years, Michele “Shelly” Nealon; son, Paul Nealon (Stacey); daughter, Melissa Nealon-Newton (Andy), all of Hampton; granddaughter, Olivia Nealon of Chesterfield County; brother, Patrick Nealon (Ulli) of Onancock; and his sister, Mary Claire "Mer" Nealon of Williamsburg.

 Kevin’s hardworking, driven, and meticulous nature allowed him to not only excel at work, but also at home, where he enjoyed landscaping and maintaining an immaculate yard. He was a surfer, baseball coach, snow skier, builder and fixer of all things, deer aggravator, and former flying squirrel enthusiast. He always had a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin. He loved nature, animals, music (especially The Wampler Brothers Band), Hershey’s Kisses, and using his split-bubble level for any project, but most of all, he loved his family. He will be remembered as a loving husband, inspiring and supportive father, dear brother, faithful friend, and doting “Papa”. 

The family would like to thank the staff, medical team, and neurologist Dr. John N. Livingstone II, M.D. at Riverside Regional Medical Center for their compassionate care and expertise. A service celebrating the life of Kevin will be held at the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home on January 26, 2019 from 2-3 pm, with an onsite visitation immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of donations to The American Cancer Society.  Arrangements are by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.