Larry McNeil – Former Local 56 Business Manager and HTC Recording Secretary

The Union mourns the passing of longtime Local 56 Business Manager and HTC Recording Secretary Larry McNeil.

Before retiring last year, Larry dutifully served the Union for 30 years, in which time he co-founded our Health and Safety Committee with Local 1 and 43 Business Agent Bob Lyons and acted as the Chairman of the Grievance Board from 1996 to 2021. In these roles, Larry worked to protect the job security and wellbeing of countless members and helped establish lasting safety measures that protect members to this day. Notably, he played an important role in the development of a City law that ensures safe water quality in hotels and helped secure unprecedented health and safety standards in the 2006 renewal of our citywide master contract.

“In the 20 years that I knew him, I watched Larry work tirelessly to ensure that hotels are safe and healthy places not just for HTC members, but for all hotel workers and guests across the City,” said President Rich Maroko. “He dedicated much of his life to strengthening our Union and protecting our members, and for that we all owe him a great thanks. His retirement just last year was well-earned, and it’s a shame that he passed so soon.”

“Larry was a wonderful person and a great business agent - but he was also so much more. He was a sounding board that you could bounce thoughts off of. Larry could see things from many different angles and gave his advice freely to anyone who asked. He was also a mentor to many members and coworkers - including myself,” shared Bob Lyons, a former Business Agent. 

“Larry always went out of his way to help members will all sorts of issues - including unemployment and medical questions and he was able to resolve most of them because he was able to think outside the box. Most of his delegates were able to resolve issues at the hotel level - and that’s because of the time Larry put in with them. I worked very closely with Larry for 18 years and learned a great deal from him. The relationships and contacts he cultivated and shared with me were extremely helpful in closing issues. He will truly be missed by his members and his coworkers, and especially myself.”

Larry was known for his charisma, quick wit, and knowledge in seemingly all subjects. He served with Military Intelligence in Germany as a Sergeant in the US Army, and took with him a lifelong passion for learning. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Fordham and master’s from George Washington University, and was never without a book in hand. Larry was also a Stephen King fanatic, a Star Trek super fan, a film buff, and an avid fisherman. His graciousness, wisdom, and impact on the lives of those around him will not be forgotten, and he is deeply missed by the family and friends that he always put first.

Larry is survived by Regina, his loving wife of 39 years, their daughter Rita, grandson Liam, his mother Ann, and brothers John and Stephen, among other extended family members he held close.