By Kaye Lin
Director of Communications and Marketing
A Surprising Start
It was a warm Wednesday afternoon when I found myself on the doorstep of a beautiful house in Mystic, Connecticut. The house belonged to Niel Spillane, a 100-year-old alumnus of Webb Institute, and I was there to interview him about his long and fascinating life. I was all set to meet him the day before, on Tuesday, but an unfortunate encounter with store-bought sushi left me very sick and forced me to cancel.
With four generations of the Spillane gentlemen. Niel Spillane (far left) with his grandson, J.B.
Spillane, great grandson, Reid, his son Jamie, and grandson Colin (far right) celebrating their
family legacy.
Embarrassed that I—a woman in my 30s—was sick while this 100-year-old man was full of life, I made a note to ask him about his secret to health.
Niel’s house was a large, three-story home with a neatly kept yard and a wide-open garage door. I parked my car and walked up to the front door, expecting to see Niel waiting for me. But to my surprise, the house was empty, and the garage fully open—with no car. I called his phone, but got no answer. Had something happened to him? A few hours later, as I was contemplating the next steps at the local ice cream shop, my phone rang—it was Niel.
He explained that he had been busy at his veteran’s meetup, then at his doctor’s appointment, and running errands. You know, a typical day in the life of a 100-year old man. When I met him in person, I was struck by the warmth and energy that radiated from him.
Despite his age, he had the vitality and enthusiasm of a much younger man. As we sat down to begin the interview, I felt like I was talking to a friend.
From Webb to War and Back
Niel was around 18 years old when he first went to Webb Institute. Back then, Webb was located in the Bronx. He then served in Europe for approximately three and a half years during World War II, and witnessed the horrors of war firsthand.
After serving in World War II, now 22 years old, he returned to Webb and transitioned seamlessly back into college life, now at Webb’s new campus in Long Island, NY. “Webb has impacted my life in so many ways. It got me the job at Electric Boat. I led the repair of 16 ships on time and under budget. One of them was so under budget that my ship manager wrote a letter to my admiral for exceptional work and cost savings.”
Niel’s naval career was remarkable, earning 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.
From childhood dreams to wartime bravery and family legacy, our centenarian, Niel Spillane embodies a century of resilience, dedication, and love.
A Life Beyond Accomplishments
But Niel wasn’t just defined by his accomplishments; he spoke warmly of his late wife, a social worker who believed in the power of human connection. He had even carved and painted a decorative statue to honor her. His grandchildren were thriving, one of them a proud Webb graduate, Colin Spillane ’13, who was following in his grandfather’s footsteps.
His voice grew animated as he talked about helping to establish the Honor Code that made Webb a safe and respectful space. Webb Institute’s Honor Council is a student-led organization responsible for upholding the school’s Honor Code. Students pledge to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and personal conduct.
The Spillane family, came from all around the country to celebrate Niel’s 100th birthday at his house
in Mystic, Connecticut. It was a reunion to remember, filled with love, laughter, and cherished
memories.
Life Lessons from Webb
“Webb was unlike any other school. People are not competing – they’re actually helping one another graduate,” he said. 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 general – the more you help others, the more you will get back. Niel talked about how everyone studied late nights at the library and explained concepts to classmates who were struggling so they didn’t have to stress alone.
I smiled as he told me about his memories and how Webb changed how he viewed the world as I’ve always believed that kindness and generosity tend to be reciprocated. And, here he is telling me about the valuable life lessons he learned in college. “Life isn’t about tearing others down to build yourself up. It’s about lifting each other up, knowing that by doing so, we all rise together. By collaborating and supporting one another, students are developing valuable life skills that will serve them well beyond graduation.”
The Secret to Longevity
As we wrapped up the interview, I didn’t forget my initial question on what his secret was to staying healthy and living up to 100, as I still wasn’t feeling 100 percent from the sushi two nights before. He left me with advice that was simple yet profound: “Don’t eat until you’re full—stop at 80%, and prioritize joy. Also, avoid nasty people. I don’t know if that’s a secret, but it seems to contribute to a fulfilling and healthy life.”
Despite the obstacles and challenges he’d faced for a century, Niel brimmed with joy. Articulate and sharp, he proved that age was just a number. At 100, he had just renewed his driver’s license for another eight years.
(In the collage below, explore Niel’s journey through time – capturing moments from his youth to celebrating his centennial year.)
