The proprietor of Wilson’s Antiques—housed in the big red barn on Montauk Highway next to Plitt Ford in Wainscott—Cornelius “Neil” C. Wilson of Springs, formerly of Wainscott, died at his daughter’s home on January 7, just three days shy of his 85th birthday.
An accomplished repairer of old clocks and restorer of antique furniture, he started his business in the 1960s. He gained his knowledge of antiques, coins and collectibles by reading countless volumes on the subjects. According to survivors, he could fix anything from a washing machine to any part of any car or truck engine to antique clocks and antique furniture.
Born in Southampton on January 10, 1924, to Ernestine M. (née Keck) and Charles E. Wilson, as a young man he liked working on cars with his brother Ernie. He graduated from Southampton High School in June 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. He enrolled in auto mechanic school and worked in the motor pool until he was shipped to Panama, where he was an anti-aircraft gunner until 1944.
In the 1950s, he raced stock cars at Riverhead Raceway. His brother, Ernie Wilson, who predeceased him, and some of the guys at Ernie’s service station were the pit crew. He won many races, including a trophy for a 35-lap feature race in July 1956 with his car, #25, and a trophy for another feature race in 1959.
On May 24, 1946, he married Ruth Marion Hand of Sag Harbor and settled in Southampton to start a family. After he built a house on Montauk Highway in Wainscott, he went into business selling used cars and repairing trucks and automobiles. He continued his business—eventually building another house and garage across the street—until the mid 1960s when he made the transition to antiques.
He retired at the age of 80, and went to live in Springs with his daughter, Marie A. Fields, who survives him.
In addition to his daughter, he is survived by two sisters, Madeline Doran of Bridgehampton and Margaret Thiele of Southampton; a brother, Arthur Wilson of Southampton; two grandchilden, Cathy Field Lavelle and Bruce Field Jr.; seven great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Chessa, Reese, Kristina, Michael, Ava and Nicholas; and many nieces and nephews. His wife predeceased him.
A funeral service was held on January 10 at Yardley & Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton, followed by interment at Oakland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to East End Hospice, P.O. Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 or to the Springs Fire Department or the Springs Ambulance Company, at 179 Fort Pond Boulevard, East Hampton, NY 11937 would be appreciated by the family.
on Jan 13, 2009