O’Connor Way Spotlight: Steve McNeil

Steve McNeil is quick to say there are a lot of characters living at South Boston NDC’s O’Connor Way Senior Housing. But the biggest character of them all may just be his bulldog, Sir Maxwell Babbington III.

“Max is the mascot here,” Steve said. “He is a character!

Everyone loves Max, a 1-year-old friendly, loving – not to mention adorable – pooch.

​​”He’s got the most typical bulldog personality,” Steve said. “Bulldogs are very special. They just have a personality unlike any other dog. Their expressions, their vocabulary … he's got different sounds for everything. And they snore like crazy. He will never leave my side.”

Except when Steve has to run errands or has appointments. Then fellow resident Mary steps up to walk and take care of Max. 

“Max is in love with her,” Steve said. “And she adores Max. She loves him to death.” Mary even has a dog bed in her apartment for Max.

Steve makes sure to update photos of Max on the community bulletin board. 

Steve, who loves to cook – he went to culinary school on the side during his working career – was one of the co-chefs of O’Connor Way’s recent St. Patrick’s Day boiled dinner. He cooked and shaved more than 50 pounds of corned beef (using his own meat slicer) while co-chef Katie did her part for the delicious dinner. The residents rave about Steve’s culinary skills and he’s happy to cook for a crowd.

Steve, 68, was one of the first residents at O’Connor Way, moving in during April 2021. 

“I love the apartment … it’s not too big and it’s not too small. The people are great.

“There’s a real sense of community here. It’s been great. It’s really positive.”

Steve is a member of the recently formed residents committee that holds meetings, plans events, and gathers residents’ opinions. He participates in the Slingo Bingo nights and volunteers for different things. When he’s not walking Max, he also enjoys reading, watching movies, and relaxing.

Originally from Needham, Steve worked for PanAm as an in-flight manager for 10 years. He then entered the hotel industry in a variety of positions, retiring at 64 as the night manager of Mandarin Oriental Boston. 

Steve knows the importance of affordable housing.

When PanAm went out of business shortly after Steve left, he lost his PanAm pension; years later, he lost most of his 401(k) in a stock market crash. “I have social security, that’s it. But I can live on it with affordable housing.”

Steve and Katie cooked up a storm for the St. Patrick’s Day boiled dinner.