Page 43: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (December 2024)

The Final Word

Niel Spillane 100-Year-Old 'Webbie'

Re? ects on a Life Well Lived 100 years, countless stories.

Niel Spillane has seen it all, from his days at Webb

Institute to the battle? elds of WWII. Join me in this interview as he shares his inspiring wisdom and the secrets of a life well-lived.

By Kaye Lin der budget. One of them was so under budget that my ship manager wrote a letter to my ad- miral for exceptional work and cost savings.”

Niel’s naval career was remarkable, earn- ing him three Navy commendations within 18 months. He had repaired 16 ships, each on time and under budget. His achievements led to an unprecedented promotion, skipping three ranks to replace a lieutenant commander while still an ensign.

But Niel wasn’t just de? ned by his accom- plishments; he spoke warmly of his late wife, a social worker who believed in the power of iel was around 18 years old when he ? rst went to human connection. He had even carved and painted a deco-

Webb Institute. Back then, Webb was located in rative statue to honor her. His grandchildren were thriving, one of them a proud Webb graduate, Colin Spillane '13, who the Bronx. He then served in Europe for approxi-

N mately three and a half years during World War II, was following in his grandfather’s footsteps.

His voice grew animated as he talked about helping to es- and witnessed the horrors of war ? rsthand. “It gets tiresome after a while ducking and ? nding a way tablish the Honor Code that made Webb a safe and respect- to stay alive... I just wanted to go to college where nobody’s ful space. Webb Institute's Honor Council is a student-led shooting at us,” recalled Niel. The constant threat of death organization responsible for upholding the school's Honor was ever-present, especially during intense periods like the Code. Students pledge to maintain the highest standards of four months of relentless shelling in France, followed by academic integrity and personal conduct. two months in Germany.

After serving in World War II, now 22 years old, he returned Life Lessons from Webb "Webb was unlike any other school. People are not compet- to Webb and transitioned seamlessly back into college life, ing - they're actually helping one another graduate," he said. now at Webb’s new campus in Long Island, NY. “Webb has impacted my life in so many ways. It got me the I learned from speaking with him that there is no zero-sum game in the reality of life. Webb is a microcosm of life in job at Electric Boat. I led the repair of 16 ships on time and un- www.marinelink.com 43

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