Annette

For those boys and girls growing up in the 50’s the name “Annette Funichello” will bring back wholesome memories of the Mickey Mouse Club and their love affair with the real star of the show… Annette. 

Neil was one of those fans glued to the TV watching her sing and dance each week, enamored by her natural charm and outstanding good looks, but of course that was all in Hollywood, a million miles away in dreamland.

Annette was born in 1942 and was 10-years older than Neil so it was highly unlikely that they would ever make a connection, but fate works in funny ways and one day when Neil was about 10 years old he was introduced to Annette at her parent’s home in Providence, Rhode Island.  That did it… he was smitten.

Her house was about a 5-minute walk from Neil’s house, so when he heard that she was in town taking a Summer break between shootings and Hollywood falseness, he would make the trek and sit quietly on her swing-set, just hoping to get a chance to see her. 

Neil repeated this swinging for a few days and finally got her attention. She came out of the house, walked over to Neil and sat on the swing next to him. She asked him his name and said that she had noticed him coming by several times with a sweet “Why?”

Neil looked her in the eyes and honestly said, “I just come by to see if I can just ‘see you’.  You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen.” 

That hit home and heart strings, so the two sat swinging, sharing stories and getting to know each other.  Neil even invited her out for ice cream at a shop nearby.  He had chocolate.  She had Maple Walnut.  So began a wonderful relationship.

Annette loved Neil’s genuineness and the fact that he wasn’t hitting on her like so many boys and men were doing in Hollywood. She even asked Neil if he liked girls? Neil replied, ”Of course, but l like basketball even better.”

“I’ve heard that you are a pretty good player. Can I come and watch you play?” So for the next 12 years, whenever she was in town, they would get together for a game. She loved the excitement, the cheering, the dance of the game that Neil choreographed, and then the winning!

This was a time of “coming of age” for this young couple. Annette was living a sheltered and isolated life in the spotlight with few real friends so a visit with Neil was a refreshing release. She could talk about things with Neil that would not leak to the press and tarnish her image. 

Both were growing up exploring the feelings and emotions of roaring hormones, comparing notes and enjoying moments. On one occasion she came over wearing ‘short shorts’ and asked Neil what he thought. Neil said, “I don’t like them. 

They are not short enough. I love your beautiful legs. The more the better!” You can start to tell where this is heading. Next was “panty flashing” and testing responses. She was no longer a Mouseketeer… and she was developing a gorgeous body.    



These were the Beach Party years of flirting and puppy love filming with Frankie Avalon and the cutting of popular songs on the Disney label, all the while protecting her innocent virgin image.



Neil was right.  She did have nice legs… and more… filling in a bikini. Neil discovered that too.

In 1965 Annette married her Manager more out of convenience, but that was not the end of their friendship. She would show up at her parent’s house, give Neil a call and they would go out for a nice dinner and then to their favorite motel to enjoy each other swapping stories and feelings. Fun letting their hair down… natural releasing the tensions of youth.

After one basketball-memorable visit to a Neil winning game, Annette even came down from the bleachers, grabbed Neil and planted a big kiss right on Neil’s lips. 

Neil enjoyed that and watching the stunned gaping mouths of his teammates.  “Who was that gorgeous womaaaan laying one on Neil?” whispered turning heads. 

Neil just went off to the showers, dressed smiling, and went out with his beauty for dinner and another interesting night.  Awe and male envy eyes followed them as they left the auditorium.  Neil never told who she was…

This routine lasted till Neil was in college where she purposely came to watch him play basketball on what was to be their last occasion. She confided in him how thankful she was to have him as a dearest and cherished friend, but she was married and planning on starting a family so passion had to move on. 

Neil and Annette had one last night and parted ways with loving memories.

Annette was diagnosed in 1987 with multiple sclerosis, a degenerative nerve disorder that left her in a wheelchair and later unable to talk.  She passed away in 2013 at 71 years old. 

About 2 weeks before her passing Neil rushed to her hospital bed, held her hand and spoke to her for several hours reminiscing about old times and times between.  She squeezed his hand softly and left this world with love bond shared with Neil.

Very few people have ever known of this loving affair and the closeness they had just being together. 

This is one affair kept close still in their afterlife and in Neil’s heart a beautiful secret.

Thomas.








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