WOODLAND/BAILEYVILLE Neal W. Gildart, 48, died Sept. 29, 2004, at a Bangor hospital after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was born July 16, 1956, in Millinocket, the son of Phillip Willard and Florence Abigail (Robertson) Gildart. Neal shared and loved all outdoor activities. He was always ready to try a new sport and enlisted the whole family on most of the adventures. Laurie, his wife of 25 years, together took Advanced P.A.D.I. (scuba diving) lessons and explored the Maine coast together. The past few summers they explored Maine and New Brunswick on motorcycles. He loved riding his motorcycle and was able to share a couple “thousand mile” weekend trips with friends around the Gaspe Peninsula and New Hampshire. Neal shared his passion of the outdoors with his children, Brian and Carolyn, by taking the family bicycling, golfing, camping, hiking, backpacking, skiing, fishing, and hunting. Baxter State Park afforded the family many fond memories. This past fall, he and Brian spent time in Brian’s 83′ K-10 4X4 pick-up, not only hunting but experiencing a little mudding. His impact on his family to love the outdoors will live on. Neal had spent his career as an accountant. The past 10 years had been spent at Georgia Pacific/Domtar, where he enjoyed his work and especially the people that he worked alongside. He was a member and Past Master of Mystic Lodge No. 65; and Penobscot Chapter No. 75 in Hampden, and the Anah Temple Shriners in Bangor. In his earlier years, he had been very active in the Order of DeMolay and earned the Degree of Chevalier, the highest attained honor of the Supreme Council. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Laurie Anne (Smith); two children, Brian Phillip and Carolyn Jane; his father, Phillip; a sister, Suzanne and husband, Brian, of Orono; a brother, David and wife, Sally, of San Antonio, Texas; Laurie’s parents, Ralph G. and Mary A. Smith; brother-in-law, Eric G. and wife, Lyn, all of Kennebunkport; and many other special nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. Neal was predeceased by his loving mom, Florence; and brother, Phillip. Relatives and friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday, at Scott-Wilson Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Calais, where a Masonic Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Calais. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory be made to the Episcopal Youth Ministries Diocese of Maine, 143 State St., Portland, ME 04101. During his childhood he enjoyed fellowship with other Christians at youth events and attended Camp Bishopswood in Hope, as Carolyn now does. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery at a later date.
NEAL W. GILDART
