Neil Francis Daley was born in Calumet, Mich., on April 18, 1928. Neil was the second of six children to Frank and Anna (Musich) Daley.Neil attended elementary education in Laurium, Mich. His high school years were spent in Cincinnati. Next, he moved to Detroit, where he completed his bachelor of arts degree.In an early elementary grade, he went to "summer school." His mother wondered why. He was the "best reader" and gave vacation time to help the "poor readers." Thus began his dedication and selflessness to others. His first professional assignment was as Executive Secretary for a religious charity in Cincinnati and he served in that post for seven years. His work took him to many places in the states and also to the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan. In 1962, he entered the U.S. Air Force and continued a 20-year career as counselor and instructor in various assignments almost equally distributed between the United States and overseas installations. He traveled from Texas to Turkey, Colorado Springs to Hawaii, Thailand to Germany. He was very proud of "having flown with the troops" on many operational missions in a wide array of aircraft including the T-33, T-38, F-100, F-102 and F-105, KC-135 tanker, B-47 (over the Black Sea), C-130, C-141, C-5A and the C-123. He was also a licensed private pilot. By the time he concluded his career he had been in at least 92 countries and in every one of the United States. He had lived in Shalimar, Fla., while on active duty at Eglin Air Force Base. He returned again to reside in Shalimar in 1989. He died on Nov. 17, 2011.Neil is survived by his loving wife, Diana; brother, Frederick (Elaine) Daley of Clawson, Mich.; sister, Patricia Daley Myers of Markleysburg, Pa.; and numerous nieces and nephews.Neil was a renaissance man with a beautiful smile. He could talk to any person of any age on any subject. He enriched many, many lives. He died a rich man; rich in the love, respect and gratitude of those who knew him. With Neil in Heaven we now have a friend with Jesus. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please visit www.daviswatkins.com to sign the guest book, express condolences and share memories of Neil.