ENFIELD – Clarence A. Neal, 79, husband of Joan (Smart) Neal, passed away March 3, 2009, at a Lincoln hospital. He was born April 28, 1929, in Millinocket, the son of Arthur B. and Rebecca (Haskell) Neal. Clarence graduated from Howland High School in 1947 and the University of Maine in 1952, where he majored in education and German, which he used locally on his friends and family. While at the university, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in ROTC, and served two years in the Army at Fort Benning, Ga., Camp Rucker and then at Fort Holabird, Md., where he gained top level clearance to be a courier at the Pentagon and met President Eisenhower. He served an additional two years in the reserves and was discharged as a captain. As a teacher, he taught one year at Lee Academy and four years at Penobscot Valley High School. He coached cross-country, girl’s basketball and boy’s junior varsity basketball, and also taught driver’s education. He worked in the insurance industry for most of his life, working for Equitable Life, G.A.B. and since 1967, was self-employed with his office located in Howland. He never officially retired, working right up until he became sick. Clarence was a friend of Bill, and was known as “Cleve” by his friends and family. He was an avid Red Sox fan, enjoyed University of Maine women’s basketball, was an avid fisherman and hunter, and was a licensed pilot. He spent many summers on Cold Stream Pond, where he finally made his year round home. He built his own houseboat, earning him the nickname, “Noah.” He was a member of Composite Lodge No. 168, AF & AM, Lagrange; Anah Temple Shrine, Bangor; and American Legion Post No. 97, Howland. In addition to his wife of 57 years, Joan; he is survived by three children, Clarence Jr., David and his wife, Vickie, all of Enfield and Melinda and her husband, Lawrence Dube, of Passadumkeag; grandchildren, Jeremy Neal and his wife, Niki, of New Hampshire and David and Kayla Dube of Passadumkeag; two brothers, Warren Neal of Florida and Dean Neal and his wife, Clara, of New Gloucester; his dog, Bear; a special friend, Francis Giroux; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Elaine Rebecca; a brother, Robert M. Neal; and a grandson, Jacob Neal. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln, where funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Carolyn Metzler officiating. Spring interment will be at Howland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to either the American Diabetes Association, 80 Elm St., Portland, ME 04101 or the American Parkinson Disease Association, Maine State Chapter, 12 Frost Hill Road, Portland, ME 04103. Those who wish may sign an online register and leave written condolences at www.clayfuneralhome.com.
CLARENCE A. NEAL
