LINCOLNVILLE – If Neal were to write his own obituary it would read, “Neal M. Peabody of Lincolnville died Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. If you knew me, you knew what I did.” Brief and to the point, but inadequate when summarizing the life of a man who has made such a great impact in the community in which he lived. Born June 5, 1926, in Washington, Neal was the son of Ulric and Esther (Lenfest) Peabody, the eldest of their four sons.
He attended school in Washington and was a 1944 graduate of Union High School. He worked briefly at Bath Iron Works as a welder before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps. On June 29, 1949, he married his beloved Hazel E. Young from East Union, at Peoples United Methodist Church, Union. They moved to Camden, where he worked as a mechanic at Boynton’s Chevrolet then later for the town of Camden in the public works garage. Neal had his hands in many community endeavors throughout Lincolnville and Camden, including Camden Outing Club, Lincolnville and Camden fire departments, Camden First Aid Association, as well as the CFA Access Team. He also was a longtime volunteer at Owls Head Transportation Museum. His involvement in community activities has been and continues to be an inspiration and example to all. Neal was a member of all York Rite Bodies of the Masons, having joined in 1953, and holds the York Cross of Honor. He also served for 15 years as worthy patron of Order of the Eastern Star after joining the organization in 1954.
Surviving is his bride of 62-plus years, Hazel Peabody of Lincolnville; his children, Glenn and Mary Anne Peabody of Brunswick, Betty and Glenn Lane of Sabattus and Becky and Al Shultz of Brewer; six grandchildren, Katie Peabody Grant and her husband, Ben, Andrea Lane Schaedler and her husband, Nick, Kelly Shultz, Matt Peabody, Ben Shultz and Michelle Lane; one brother, Esten Peabody of Winslow; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members.
In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral service. Spring burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Camden. An open house in honor of Neal will be held 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Lincolnville Fire Station, 470 Camden Road, Lincolnville. Memorial contributions may be made to Kno-Wal-Lin Hospice, 169 Pleasant St., Rockland, ME 04841; Lincolnville Fire Department, 493 Hope Road, Lincolnville, ME 04849 or lend a hand to someone in need through a random act of kindness. Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden. Condolences and memories may be shared with the Peabody family by visiting their book of memories at
www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.